Bat House Forum

[Skittleshouse]

I know that this breaks all the rules, but just over a week ago my grandmother, who lives nextdoor, came through my back do yelling for me to come help. She told me that there was a strange animal in my daughters play house, and that she was scared that her overgrown puppy may have damaged it. Well my husband was @ work, and my grandfather knows nothing of the outdoors, so I went to inspect. It was a baby bat, so small I almost pushed it off to the side with the rest of the nutshell from the tree above. I left it alone and went to minding my own business till the next night. He was still in the same place and very weak, when we first found him we could hear slot of owls and we have noticed that we haven't seen any bats out since last year. I did some reading a found out that sometimes they get confused and migraite during the wrong time of year. So we assumed that the migraited and his mother was attacted by an owl. I tried to get intouch with the " local" santury with no luck. I found a baby bat recipe online and picked up the ingedience. He only got weaker. I tried to get intouch with the santurary again, still nothing. I tried the big "No-No" and gave him some cow milk. Success, he drank and drank. Yes, I was wearing gloves, although he wanted me to hold him like his mommy. I told my husband when I found him that I was going to have to get some mosquiotoes, my daughter said we need to get him some skittles, so we kind of nicknamed him. We have upgrated his diet to meal worms in his milk, he is learning to flap his wings in take off, only two flaps and drops though. He is very active in the moring, eats several times, but in the evening, he will take a few licks and go to bed. I would never advise anyone to do this, but I couldn't let the eliments get to him, or my grandmothers germen shepard. If my calculations are correct, he is about 2 1/2 weeks, and he has been in my care for 11/2 weeks. My birds don't mind him sharing their living spaces, and he can go if he desires. I am trying to find a bathouse to help him settle into in a few weeks. He is almost ready. I know that I should have let him be, but I just wasn't in me. My question is through, is there a special type of bat house that may get him involved in the colony when they return? I don't want him to be alone forever. Thanks for your input

[Joe Spencer]

No there isn't a specific bat house. I would put one or more up to help any/all bats though. Unfortunately a young bat such as the one you have been helping only has a minimal chance of making it through its first season since it is starting with an extreme disadvantage. Nice of you to help it. Please reply with the State or country you are in. Are you certain it is a myotis? If so it is so important to help these because of WNS.

[Skittleshouse]

I have done a lot of research and I am almost certian that he is a myotis. I don't want to keep him forever he should be a wild animal. I take him out every evening and a few nights ago I started seeing bats again, and I noticed him talking and moving around more than usual. I tried to get in touch with the sanctuary near here but nothing. I tried to ride over today, but it is about an 1 & 1/2 hours and I think I made some wrong turns. My husband said he will try to find it next week. What is wns? I am just a bat amauter. Thank you very much for your help.