Abstract:
The fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi is abundant in the eastern parts of southern Africa, but its
breeding biology remains poorly documented. This study aimed to ascertain the breeding
season of this species in northeastern Swaziland where 340 individuals were netted over a
21-month period. Subadults were present throughout the year with two peaks, while lactating
females were only present between December and May. These contradictory data are consistent
with a bimodal birth peak, and the fact that pregnancy and lactation were both difficult to
detect in the field.
