Twilight Cave...

The Rodrigues Fruit Bat

The Seba's Bat

The Aye Aye

The Madagascan Jumping Rat

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FLYING KIND IN NEW
TWILIGHT CAVE!

The latest all-weather attraction at West Midland Safari Park is now open!

THE NEW TWILIGHT CAVE which has cost in the region of half a million pounds, is home to a bachelor group of rare Rodrigues Fruit Bats, which was until recently one of the most endangered bat species in the World, only found on a tiny western Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues, about 900 miles east of Madagascar.

With a wingspan of around three foot, Rodrigues Fruit Bats, like all bats, are nocturnal - they rest during the day and leave their roosts at dusk to feed during the night. They share their new home with much smaller Seba's Bats and a breeding pair of Madagascan Giant Jumping Rats.

Seba's Bats originate from Central and South America and roost in colonies of up to 500 bats, mainly in caves and can live for up to seven years. Like the Rodrigues Bats, they mainly eat fruit, but enjoy nectar and insects.

The Aye-aye is the only representative of a whole family of animals, not only is it unique among the lemurs of Madagascar but among primates as a whole, as well as being one of the most endangered. They are strictly nocturnal, largely solitary and have an unusual jaw structure & elongated fingers, which they use to find insect grubs in the forest.

Madagascan Giant Jumping Rats are the largest endemic rodent in Madagascar. This species is restricted to the Western Coast in the dry deciduous Menabe Forest. Jumping Rats are strictly nocturnal, living in monogamous pairs in long deep burrows and occupying exclusive territories.

They are extremely active and curious creatures. Despite their name, Jumping Rats rarely jump, unless they are startled. However, when they are frightened or defending themselves, they may easily leap vertically up to one metre.