Cynopterus Sphinx is a bat species found in Southeast Asia. The word "Cynopterus" is spelled as /saɪˈnɒptərəs/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "Cyno-" root means "dog," while "-pterus" means "winged." The name "Sphinx" (/sfɪŋks/) refers to the ancient symbol of a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. The genus name "Cynopterus" may have been inspired by the dog-like facial features of the bats, while "Sphinx" may refer to their mysterious and elusive nature.
Cynopterus sphinx is a species commonly referred to as the lesser short-nosed fruit bat. It belongs to the family Pteropodidae, also known as flying foxes or fruit bats, which are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
The Cynopterus sphinx is a medium-sized bat, with a body length of approximately 10-12 centimeters and a wingspan of around 50-60 centimeters. It has a distinctive short and broad snout, hence the common name, and is usually covered in dark brown fur. The wings are long and thin, allowing for efficient flight and maneuverability.
These bats are primarily frugivorous, meaning they primarily feed on fruits and nectar. They play an important role in forest ecosystems as pollinators and seed dispersers. Like other fruit bats, Cynopterus sphinx is essential for maintaining the ecological balance by promoting seed dispersal and assisting in plant reproduction.
They are nocturnal creatures, roosting during the day in trees, caves, or man-made structures such as buildings and bridges. They often gather in large numbers in their roosting sites, forming colonies of several hundred individuals.
Cynopterus sphinx has a wide distribution throughout its range, including countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Although the species is listed as least concern in terms of conservation status, habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat pose potential threats to their populations. Efforts are underway to increase awareness and protect their habitats to ensure the survival of Cynopterus sphinx and other fruit bat species.
The word Cynopterus has its etymology derived from the Greek words kynos meaning dog and pteron meaning wing. Together, Cynopterus can be interpreted as dog-winged.
The word Sphinx has its origin in the Greek mythology creature named Sphinx. In Greek, sphinx means strangler or to squeeze. The Sphinx was portrayed as a creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. This creature had a riddle for travelers, and if they failed to answer correctly, it would devour them.
Therefore, Cynopterus Sphinx can be understood as the combination of cynopterus meaning dog-winged and sphinx representing the mythical creature, resulting in a phrase that may be interpreted as dog-winged Sphinx.