Coital behavior of male Pteropus scapulatus (little red flying foxes) in captivity

Copulation in Pteropus scapulatus, the little red flying fox (suborder Megachiroptera), is characterised by brief orogenital grooming for 20 s; a single mount lasting 175 s; a single intromission, which includes a mean of 20 s thrusting in most copulations; ejaculation, lasting only about 9 s, observed in about 20% of copulations; and lock et copula, for about 155 s. In 65% of copulations, mating between the same pair resumes, usually after about 35 s. Each pair typically undertakes a series of two-three copulations at a time. Copulation is the dorso-ventral position, while both animals hang by their feet in their normal head-down posture. An unusual feature of their coitus is that each animal supports its own weight, and the female appears undisturbed by the male's thrusting movements. Mating is essentially silent and still. Peak mating occurs in November and December (late spring/early summer), with fertile matings being rare at other times.