Name given to 200 species of pteropotid bats, known as pollinators, seed dispersers, and in some cultures, delicacies. They are found in the tropics of Asia, Australia, and Africa. They are all fruit bats (i.e., they don't eat insects) and they don't use echolocation (Some believe they have a distinct ancestor from bats and convergent evolution explains their similarities). Mostly nocturnal, they roost in trees in large colonies. A low reproductive rate, loss of habitat, and intensive hunting in some areas have put many flying fox species on the brink of extinction.