The Indian flying fox is frugivorous or nectarivorous, i.e., they eat fruits or drink nectar from flowers.
At dusk, it forages for ripe fruit.
It is a primarily generalist feeder, and eats any available fruits.
Seeds from ingested fruits are scarified in its digestive tract and dispersed through its waste.
It is relied on for seed propagation by 300 plant species of nearly 200 genera, of which approximately 500 economically valuable products are produced in India.
Nearly 70% of the seeds in Indian flying fox guano are of the banyan tree, a keystone species in Indian ecosystems.

Although initially thought to be strictly frugivorous, it has been observed deliberately eating insects and leaves.
The Indian flying fox also eats flowers, seed pods, bark, cones, and twigs.
Their diet changes seasonally, with a greater reliance on mango fruits for moisture in the autumn and spring.
A species of ebony tree (pale moon ebony tree) provides dietary fiber year-round.
Yellow box eucalyptus and Chinese pistache provide necessary carbohydrates, fats, iron, and phosphorus in the winter.
The Indian flying fox is frugivorous or nectarivorous, i.e., they eat fruits or drink nectar from flowers. At dusk, it forages for ripe fruit. It is a primarily generalist feeder, and eats any available fruits. Seeds from ingested fruits are scarified in its digestive tract and dispersed through its waste. It is relied on for seed propagation by 300 plant species of nearly 200 genera, of which approximately 500 economically valuable products are produced in India. Nearly 70% of the seeds in Indian flying fox guano are of the banyan tree, a keystone species in Indian ecosystems.
Although initially thought to be strictly frugivorous, it has been observed deliberately eating insects and leaves. The Indian flying fox also eats flowers, seed pods, bark, cones, and twigs. Their diet changes seasonally, with a greater reliance on mango fruits for moisture in the autumn and spring. A species of ebony tree (pale moon ebony tree) provides dietary fiber year-round. Yellow box eucalyptus and Chinese pistache provide necessary carbohydrates, fats, iron, and phosphorus in the winter.
Indian flying fox