I found a baby bat in my garden..?

Question

I really don't think it can fly. I've placed it in a box away from the light, with something for it to hang from [although I don't know how it can get onto it], along with some fruit and water. It's sitting in the corner of the box and I really don't know what to do to help it.

Suggestions?

Thanks =)

Answer 1

Call your local library and ask if there's a wild animal shelter / hospital in your area.... we have one near me, so maybe...

Poor little thing ~ hope it makes it!

Answer 2

If it's not trying to get way, then it is sick. The reason you found it is that it is too sick to return home.  It is probably going to die.  Sorry.

I am more afraid for you, though.  We don't know what disease the animal has.  And bats can carry rabies.  More serious problems can come from fleas.  Having this bat in you house could affect you dog or cat, if you have one.

Your first thought should be to get this animal OUTSIDE, out of your home, before you or your other pets become sick.  DO NOT TOUCH THIS ANIMAL AGAIN!

Next, call the local Animal Control Center, and tell them what you've found.  They will want to pick it up and test it for diseases.

BTW -- most bats eat insects (flies, mosquitoes, moths), not fruit (and not blood . . . .)

Answer 3

Bats are wonderful animals and we would literally not exist without them.

I doubt it's a baby.  There are many species of very small bats, and that's probably what it is.  I also doubt very much that it's a "fruit" eating bat, especially if you live in the USA.

The box is OK, but it would prefer a larger cage, made from wire, with a smaller, dark box up in the corner where it can climb up into and hide.

The water is good, but to feed it, you must get some crickets from your local pet store.  In the evening, offer them to the bat alive in a pair of tweezers.  After a few attempts he should take them from you.  If he does not, just set a few crickets loose in his cage.

Be aware, that if it IS an adult, he could be sick, and this could endanger you, so be very careful not to let him bite you.  Bats can get rabies, but not any more so than a dog or cat.  The problem is, they roost together in the thousands,  therefore if one is sick the others will catch it too.

Let me know what's happening and I can help you further if you wish.  Just email me.

Answer 4

How do you know its a baby?  I have found bats roosting where I did not want them to roost.  I simply move them outside in a protected place where they can take off after dark.  I don't know why they are in kind of a stupor when found but they always leave after dark.