Are flying foxes considered illegal, or just exotic?

Question

I've looked around this site, and am wondering... everyone says ferrets are "illegal", but you can obtain them with a permit... does that apply for bats, or are bats unobtainable even with a permit?

Answer 1

Isn't surfing the web wonderful? In researching your question I learned:

People own bats for several reasons-for hunting, for target practice or other sports, and/or for self defense.

But no matter why you own a bat, bat ownership is a serious and full-time responsibility. Almost as many people die from bat swings each year as die from automobile accidents. The decision to own a bat should be made carefully and with an understanding of how the decision could affect your own well-being and that of your family and community.

Should you decide to become a bat owner, protect yourself and those you love. As many as half of bat deaths and injuries and much bat theft can be prevented by practicing safe bat ownership and storage.

It is your responsibility to keep your bat out of the hands of those who, deliberately or accidentally, may misuse it.

* Lock your bat. Bats should be stored securely locked out of sight or reach to minimize the risk that they will be used by unauthorized others such as children, teens, burglars, or the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

* Keep the keys to the lock(s) that secure your bat(s) on your key chain and with you at all times. Keep keys out of reach of children and teens.

* Do not store your bat under a bed, mattress or in an unlocked bedroom drawer.

And then I learn they were talking about

Stopping Baseball Bat Violence!

ROTFLOL

Answer 2

In most cases bats are not allowed to be kept as "pets" due to the types of diseases they can carry.  It is just too much of a risk.  For example I work at a zoo that has three species, even our keepers go in with masks, gloves and face sheilds just to be safe... and those are people who care for them for a living.  Can you gather what problems could be had for someone who has no clue what they are doing.

With bats in the US permits for the most part are always required and even then most of them are rehab permits and not "pet" permits.

Trust me, they are not something you want.

To BWANA: I am not sure what crawled up your backside but you need to relax when it comes to what I said.  As far as why our keepers wear gloves it is not to keep from being bit, they are just rubber medical gloves.  As far as masks go, yes some it is is from the fumes (histoplasmosis) but the sheilds that they wear are not.  They do not even cover the mouth and nose.  As stated bats are known to carry various diseases, and some of our bats are unhealthy (no they are not rabid), so different gear that our keepers wear and that I personally have worn before are for more reasons than just being bit and fumes.  Side note, depending on the species there are some places in the US that you can keep bats within your home, with the proper permits of course.  Heck I even knew someone growing up who did (yes they had permits).  However since then the law in their county has changed and she cannot.  Anyway, pehaps you should be the one who thinks before they act and turn down the rude-ness.  As far as ignorance goes... perhaps you should take the time to read what Robert wrote.  He was trying to make a joke, its about baseball bats.

Answer 3

Flying Foxes are just wonderful animals and are a great asset to the human race.  They do feed on fruit, but what most people don't know is that it's only rotten or over-ripe fruit, unfit for human consumption, that they feed upon.

Flying Foxes live in Papua New Guinea, Borneo, the South Sea Islands, Malaysia, and other exotic places, where they live in the tropics and  fly above the trees at night to feed on the fruit.  They can reach a wing span of 4 or 5 feet.  They are completely harmless.  They got their name from the fox-like faces they have.  They do not live in caves, but roost upside down, wrapped in their big, beautiful wings, from the branches of communal trees.

They are not allowed as pets in the USA "unless" you have very, very special permits to do so.  Only certain zoos have them, and Bats Conservation International, based in Austin, Texas, has a wonderful female that's a great asset to their cause.  She helps teach young children on the benefits of bats throughout the world.

What Robert S said:     "People own bats for several reasons-for hunting, for target practice or other sports, and/or for self defense."     is 100% WRONG.  Where the heck he got that information I'll never know.  Anyone that "would" use bats for target practice ought to be taken out and shot themselves.  There are some very stupid, ignorant people out there, that hurt and kill wild animals with no consideration at all for the animal or what they are doing to our environment.  Idiots, that's all they are, idiots !!!

And, Space Coyote?  Where the heck do people get this information?  Ignorance about bats is contagious it seems.  Exotic bats are NOT allowed in captivity as pets BECAUSE if they escaped, they would affect the ecology since they did not come from here in the first place.  Zoo keepers wear masks and gloves, not to keep from catching some horrible, made-up disease.  Gloves are worn so they won't get bitten.  Masks are worn so the person does not breathe the powder that comes from the guano (droppings) which can cause respritory problems.

Lets get our facts straight people, and be sure we know what we are talking about, BEFORE answering someone's question.  

THINK before you act.

I've been around animals all my life, and I've worked in a prominent zoo in America, and I've filmed bats several times, so I "do" know what I'm talking about.

Answer 4

BWANA, you need to read all of Robert S's post...or just skip to the bottom 3 lines.  He's not talking about what you think he's talking about.