# Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat

> Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat (Macroglossus minimus). The lesser long-tongued fruit bat feeds at flowers and is much smaller than large flying foxes; size alone cannot identify it reliably.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macroglossus-minimus/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/macroglossus-minimus/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat (*Macroglossus minimus*) is a mammal in the family Pteropodidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Java. Diet: nectar and pollen feeder, sometimes fruit juice; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Macroglossus minimus* |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Pteropodidae |
| Observation records | Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Java |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Taxonomic group | Chiroptera |
| GBIF records | 65 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5218625) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — nectar and pollen feeder, sometimes fruit juice · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macroglossus_minimus/) |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat refers to Macroglossus minimus, in the genus Macroglossus, family Pteropodidae, and order Chiroptera. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5218625)

## What is known about the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

The lesser long-tongued fruit bat feeds at flowers and is much smaller than large flying foxes; size alone cannot identify it reliably.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossus%20minimus)

## Habitat and field observations of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat

Lesser long-tongued bats use forest, gardens and some disturbed settings. They take nectar and pollen with the tongue and can connect visited flowers through pollination.

Evidence: [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5218625/descriptions)

## How many Indonesian records name the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 65 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5218625&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5218625&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat with Large Flying-fox, Tatar Horseshoe Bat, Diadem Roundleaf Bat. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Pteropodidae |
| Genus | *Macroglossus* |
| Species | *Macroglossus minimus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat

### What is the scientific name of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

The scientific name of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat is *Macroglossus minimus*, in the family Pteropodidae and the order Chiroptera.

### What kind of animal is the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

The Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat is a mammal in the family Pteropodidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a nectar and pollen feeder, sometimes fruit juice.

### Where does the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat summarised in this guide mainly come from Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Java. That list is not a complete range map.

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### What does the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat eat?

The Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat is a nectar and pollen feeder, sometimes fruit juice. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macroglossus_minimus/).

### How does the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat reproduce?

The Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/).

### Is the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat nocturnal?

The cited source records the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat as nocturnal (active at night). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat?

Scientific classification of the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Chiroptera, family Pteropodidae, genus *Macroglossus*, species *Macroglossus minimus*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5218625), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5218625)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5218625&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5218625/descriptions)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/40946)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossus%20minimus)
6. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macroglossus_minimus/)
7. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/)
8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Large Flying-fox](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/pteropus-vampyrus/)
- [Tatar Horseshoe Bat](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhinolophus-tatar/)
- [Diadem Roundleaf Bat](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hipposideros-diadema/)
- [Lesser false vampire bat](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/megaderma-spasma/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macroglossus-minimus/