First photographic evidence of the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Pteropodidae) in the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia

<ns3:p>Background This study aimed to document the occurrence of the Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus in King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve (KSRNR), Hail region, Saudi Arabia, where its presence had not previously been confirmed. Methods Field surveys were conducted in the Hail region, and direct observations were documented using photographic evidence. Bats roosting in a natural crevice were photographed and assessed for colony size. Results More than 50 individuals, including adults and juveniles, were observed roosting in a rock crevice. The photographic documentation confirms the presence of a stable colony of R. aegyptiacus in this area, extending the known distribution of the species into a previously unrecorded region of Saudi Arabia. Conclusions These findings provide the first photographic record of R. aegyptiacus in KSRNR and highlight the species’ ecological adaptation to arid habitats. The results emphasize the need for targeted surveys and long-term monitoring to better understand the distribution and conservation of this species in desert environments.</ns3:p>