The Largest Megabat Species in the World

Giants of the Megabat World

Megabats are famous for their impressive size, and the largest species are truly remarkable animals. Here is a guide to the biggest types of megabats measured by wingspan and body weight.

1. Great Flying Fox (Pteropus neohibernicus)

The undisputed largest megabat by body weight, the great flying fox can weigh up to 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) and has a wingspan reaching 1.7 meters (5.6 feet). This species is found in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, where it roosts in large colonies in coastal forests. Despite its intimidating size, it feeds entirely on fruit, nectar, and pollen.

2. Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus)

Native to the Philippines, this critically endangered species is one of the largest bats in the world, with wingspans reportedly up to 1.7 meters. The golden-crowned flying fox is so named for the distinctive golden-yellow fur on its crown. It is severely threatened by deforestation and hunting.

3. Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus)

Despite the intimidating species name (vampyrus), this bat is a harmless fruit-eater. Found across Southeast Asia from Myanmar to Indonesia, it is one of the largest Pteropus species, with wingspans regularly exceeding 1.5 meters.

• Great Flying Fox – Up to 1.6 kg, wingspan 1.7 m (Papua New Guinea)
• Golden-Crowned Flying Fox – Wingspan up to 1.7 m (Philippines, Critically Endangered)
• Large Flying Fox – Wingspan 1.2–1.5 m (Southeast Asia)
• Lyle's Flying Fox – Up to 2.51 picograms genome; large continental species (Thailand)
• Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) – Common large species across South Asia

Why Are Megabats So Large?

The large body size of megabats compared to echolocating bats may actually explain why most megabats lost echolocation. A 2017 study found evidence that larger body size disrupts the tight coupling between wingbeat rhythm and echolocation calls that microbats rely on, making echolocation too energetically expensive for large bats to maintain.

Conservation & Further Reading

Megabats face significant threats from habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. A quarter of all Pteropodidae species are listed as threatened by the IUCN. Their low reproductive rates mean that population recovery is slow after decline events. Supporting tropical forest conservation is the most effective way to protect megabat diversity.

For more information about specific types of megabats, explore the related guides below or visit the Pteropodidae family overview for a complete species list.