Husbandry Manual for Grey- Headed Flying Fox - Nswfmpa.org

Highly elastic thin tissue forms the wing membrane which is a double layer of
thin membranous tissue finely laced with veins,
blood vessels, muscles and
nerves. The membrane has a texture
similar
to that of a Pinniped flipper (pers obs). The
dorsal surface of the forelimb is furry, and the
membrane over the finger bones has tiny
microscopic hairs to assist the GHFF in
monitoring air flow during flight. The lateral
ventral surface of the wing is quite furry,
extending as far as the elbow of the
Plagiopatagium (see diagram below) .
Diagrams from “Flying Foxes, Fruit & Blossum Bats of Australia, Hall-L & Richards-G
The metacarpals all join at the base of the thumb at the wrist, which is an intricate
and highly complex joint.
Damage to the wing membrane is repairable with time, however, GHFFs have a
tendency to self-mutilate whenever the wing membrane is damaged so an
Elizabethan collar may be need to be applied in cases of severe wing membrane
damage (Bellamy-T and pers obs). Any tear to the leading edge of the Propatagium
may render the GHFF unable to fly, and as this controls the ability of their ability to
close the wing properly, euthanasia may need to be considered.
Finger bones are predominantly hollow
and can mend, especially in juvenile
animals. A break in the forearm is also
fixeable, providing the break isn’t close to
the wrist.
(left,
radiograph of juvenile GHFF post pinning
of humerus (right arm). Two pellet shaped
discs within thorasic and lumbar region – shot
gun pellets)
Hind
Limbs
As flying foxes
are designed for flight, their hind limbs are thin, lack muscle and their
lower bodies have atrophied, so much so that the GHFF could not bear weight on its
legs even if it chose to. If it falls to the ground it scuttles using the wings like rudders
and pushing itself along with its legs.
Husbandry Manual – GHFF
Mandi Griffith - 7 -