How to Take Care of a Bat

Bats are beautiful and mysterious and many people wonder about keeping them as pets as an exotic addition to any house. However, due to their wild nature, most bats kept in captivity live less than a year and usually suffer from depression and loneliness. If you are looking at taking care of one temporarily for an agency or to release into the wild you can follow these instructions.

Things You'll Need

  • Rural environment
  • Materials or pre-made bat box
  • Fresh fruit
  • Water
  • Trees
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be aware of the state laws in your area and know that most bats are protected by a variety of rules and organizations and can not be kept without a license from the USDA and can not be transported without explicit permission from the CDC. If you have these things, there are a few things you can do to make your winged friend more comfortable.

    • 2

      Knowing as much as you can about your bat friend can be helpful in helping to care for it. Over half of the species of bats in the world are on the endangered list.

    • 3

      If you are installing a bat house on top of a tall pole, it should face toward the south and your home should be within 1/4 of a mile of water as bats need water, insects and variety to survive.

    • 4

      Placing these houses on the side of houses or on poles is the best way to protect your friends from predators. But, it should be placed within 20 to 25 feet of tree branches so that the bats have a place to hide and escape if attacked by predators smart enough to invade their neatly-made house.

    • 5

      Install your bat house in the summer and be patient. There isn't anything specific to attract bats to the house but most of the time the bats will find it a cozy getaway when they return in the summer.