Indonesia -- Day 7 The Flying Foxes or Fruit Bats of Sumatra

After leaving the St Francis of Assisi Church in Berastagi we continued along the road to Medan.  The road from Berastagi to Medan is basically only a single lane each way. There is some beautiful scenery and nice hotels along the way.

a lovely house in Berastagi

bananas off to market, Berastagi

local houses on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Our Adventures Abroad itinerary for today was:

This morning we drive from Berastagi to Medan and fly to Yogyakarta, Java's cultural heart. Located at the foot of the volcano Merapi, the fertile plain of Yogyakarta was, in the 16th and 17th century, the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataran.

NOTE: Our flight from Medan to Yogyakarta will likely transit through Jakarta.

Overnight in Yogyakarta. Meal plan: Breakfast and dinner.

local houses on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

 

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

We also stopped to see flying foxes/bats which are sold for food. I wanted hold one but was advised against it because of rabies. I did get some beautiful shots of them though. Unfortunately because they are used for food they are currently endangered.

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

 

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

The large flying fox is among the largest species of bat. It weighs 1.3 lbs to 2.4 lbs and has a wingspan of 4.9 ft on average. As with all megabats, it has a fox-like face, hence its name. It has no tail and has pointed ears. The hairs on its upper back are short and stiff while the hairs on the lower back, mantle, underparts and sides are longer and woolly.  The hairs that make up the mantle tend to be the longest.  The color and texture of pelage varies based on age and sex. Males tend to have slightly stiffer and thicker pelage than female do.^[Immature individuals are almost all dull gray-brown. Young are born with a dark-colored mantle that becomes lighter in males by maturity. The color of pelage on head ranges from mahogany-red and orange-ochreous to blackish. Underparts vary from blackish to brown, with a sprinkling of other colors, ranging from chocolate to gray or silver. The color pelage of the mantle can vary from pale dirty-buff to orange yellow, with a dark-golden brown or dark russet chest. The skull of the large flying fox is large and robust. It has a total of 34 teeth. The large flying fox has short, slightly rounded wing tips which produce a slow, maneuverable flight. Wing membranes are hairless except near the body where they are distinctly furred. Wings are strengthened by a longitudinal ribs of thicken skin.

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Flying foxes or fruit bats on the road between Berastagi and Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

local transportation, Sumatra, Indonesia

local market, Sumatra, Indonesia

a local, Sumatra, Indonesia

If you would like to get see the flying foxes or fruit bats of Sumatra

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