How do flying-fox mothers care for their young?
The female has two nipples, one on either side of her chest beneath the wingpit. As soon as the baby is born it begins to suckle. Its milk teeth curve backwards so that it can keep a firm hold. She protects her baby with her wings during the daytime. At night when she flies to search for food the baby holds onto its mother, with its mouth around the nipple and with its claws in her fur. The baby is not able to maintain its own body temperature until it is 15 – 17 days old so for about a month is carried by the mother while she feeds at night. The young are then left in the camp during the night and the mother returns to it before sunrise. Young flying-foxes gradually increase their flying skills until by 12 weeks of age they explore the local area around the camp, then increase the distance beyond until they are flying out with the adults to feed. Some are seen still suckling in the daytime in the mating season.
