Flying foxes mating [Grey-headed flying fox - Pteropus poliocephalus]

Описание: Grey-headed flying-fox mating behaviour in the wild.

This was filmed at Woodford, Australia, in mid-April, at the peak of the breeding season of the grey-headed flying fox.

At this time of year it is common to see mating pairs of flying foxes roosting together, often with the female's current baby present, aged approximately 6 months. At this age the juveniles are flying independently, but still spend time wrapped up with the mother, being groomed and still suckling milk.

As the mating season begins, females can be seen having to negotiate the demands of both their young and their mating partner. I have seen females gently deposit their baby on a branch before moving over to mate with a male then return to their baby; alternatively males may just engage in courtship and mating regardless of the presence of nursing young, and the juvenile is left to get the hint and move off of its own accord, as happens here.

Actual flying fox mating in itself is quick, with copulation lasting only 30 seconds or so, but is preceded by lengthy foreplay involving extended grooming of the female's genital area by the male. The female may reject this early on by wrapping her wings around herself or swiping at him with her thumb claw. Once the male is grooming the female's genitalia, she has accepted his advances.

Once this grooming is proceeding, the female may demonstrate her readiness to mate by backing into the male and wrapping her feet around his, as happens here. The male then takes both their weights, holding the female by the scruff of her neck with his teeth and curving his body to support her.

Copulation is over quickly, followed by individual grooming of their own genital areas. This sequence may be repeated several times in an hour. In this instance it can be seen that mating occurs twice, with the female rejecting the male's advances on the third attempt, shifting focus to her baby, and concludes with both partners settling in for a post-coital nap.
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