Samoa flying fox
| Samoa flying fox | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Skeleton of a Samoa flying fox | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Pteropodidae |
| Genus: | Pteropus |
| Species: | P. samoensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pteropus samoensis Peale, 1848 |
|
 |
|
| Samoa flying fox range | |
The Samoa flying fox or Samoan flying fox (Pteropus samoensis) is a species of megabat in the Pteropodidae family. It is found in American Samoa, Fiji, and Samoa (where it is known as pe'a and pe'a vao). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Samoan word for the flying fox fruit bat, pe'a, is also the name of the traditional Samoan male tattoo.
Samoan mythology
In Samoan and Polynesian mythologies, stories, myths, proverbs, and legends are associated with this winged creature.[1] One legend from the island of Savai'i in Samoa is about Nafanua, goddess of war; she was rescued by flying foxes when stranded on an inhospitable island.[1]
Source
- Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. Pteropus samoensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 30 July 2007.
Read in another language
This page is available in 12 languages
