The only fruit bat still to occur on the island of Mauritius, the Mauritian flying fox is a large bat with golden-brown fur, which is lighter on the face and back, and a dark muzzle. Like other members of the Pteropodidae, it has a fox-like face, large eyes, claws on the first and second digits, and no tail. The wings are relatively long and narrow, well adapted for travelling long distances to seek out food in the forest canopy. Flying foxes are said to have a noticeable, characteristic odour.