“One morning in early May 2016, I was admiring a cosy colony of Common Fruit Bats (Cynopterus brachyotis) and observing their dedicated maternal care (above).
“One of the mothers had a well-grown baby latched comfortably onto her left teat (above).
“As mummy groomed herself fastidiously, baby continued to suckle, but eventually took time out for a wing stretch and big yawn (above).
“To quench its thirst for more fruit-flavoured milk, this youngster then switched over to wrap its mouth around the right mammary (above).
“Video clips of the Mummy and Baby Bat may be previewed here:”
Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
22nd August 2016