Bat rescues, a suitable rehab.

[nightshade]

I have been using a huge, small mammal, glass tank for bats that I have rescued
I can no longer lug it about so I have been looking for something a little lighter.
and easier to store. Avon Bat Group recommends this system. Not a bad price either. the 38 gall. will suit the smaller bats.
Exo Terra : Flexarium/Flextray / Full Screen Terrarium

[Farplace]

I tend to use exo terra glass tanks for bats, but the Flexarium type would be better. Bats sometimes get too hot in a glass tank, even if there is a mesh lid.
Do you take in many bats?

[nightshade]

I have not taken any for the last couple of years, just given phone advice, the BCT contacted me this year and I said I would go active but when they found out about my back they temporarily sidelined me again.
Most bats were five Pips rescued from a drain someone had power washed them and many others out of a roost in a roof. They stank as the other poor little devils were little more than soup. Despite my best efforts they died over the space of a week or so.

[Farplace]

Why would your back make any difference to the standard of care you can give to bats?
Do you have your rabies jabs up to date?
This is the main thing they seem to require.... although even that isn't cut-and-dried. I had a bad allergic reaction to the rabies vaccine, and was told by my GP that I must not have a second one. I am still one of the contacts for the BCT, and get calls from over 100 miles away.
I can't help most of the bats we are contacted about, because in general, I can't collect due to lack of time, running the sanctuary. People bring them to me, or I collect locally. Mostly I just give advice.
Sadly a lot DO die. We get them into care in a very compromised state. I have seen quite a few go back into the wild, which is a fantastic feeling, but I have lost more than I release. It's worth it for the ones who make it though.
We have had mainly pips, a couple of daubentons and a long eared bat. Pips are my passion however. You can almost always guarantee that when someone says they have a baby bat, it's an adult pip....
However, on 2 occasions it actually has been a baby bat - one still naked and pink.
Lets hope for a successful year, bat-wise (ie, one with no bats needing help....) fat chance!!
Jan

[nightshade]

I had a young girl phone up with a baby bat, I explained that the mothers sometimes lost the youngsters because they flew with them attached.
For the next three nights she took the baby back to the find site, feeding it all day every day in between. No takers so she raised it single handed to maturity.
Most of my feeding info comes from the couple in Yorkshire the special feeds I can obtain if necessary from the Avon Bat Group.
Worst Bat, Serotine, it could not fly, no obvious injury it would eat the feeding brush! I had an idea and put it on (a cold tube) light box then I found the broken wrist. Best Bat, Long Eared Brown, found on an industrial estate chilled right through. Water, food, kept overnight. It became active the following evening and flew around the house at a slow hover.