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The nitrogen and energy balances of the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Pteropodidae), were determined in a series of studies of animals on five single-fruit diets differing in their nutritional content (carob, Ceratonoia siliqua; Persian lilac, Melia azedarach; loquat, Eriobotrya japponica; mulberry, Murus nigra; and sycamore, Ficus sycomorus). It was found that except for Persian lilac, these fruits, which are eaten in nature by the bats, can adequately supply their nitrogen requirements, while Persian lilac and loquat were insufficient for their energy demands. On the basis of average nutrient composition across the tested fruits, the Egyptian fruit bat (mean body mass 144 g) requires a mean intake of 6g dry matter per day for maintaining nitrogen balance, while a mean intake of 11 g dry matter per day is needed in …