Microbats

• Share

These tiny creatures generally live in colonies of half a dozen. They are excellent insect controllers, consuming at least 50% of their body weight in insects every night.Their droppings are not known to be a source of disease and will dry quickly with little or no odour. Microbats are clean and sociable animals that will not gnaw wood, wires or insulation.  Please call WIRES Rescue Line on 1300 094 737 or fill in the rescue form.

Bats share our senses of smell, hearing, sight and touch but they have the added benefits of flight and an exceptional system of navigation and prey detection. Unlike flying foxes, microbats use echolocation to detect objects (although they can see). They produce high frequency sound pulses through the nose or mouth. A flap of skin in front of the ear directs the returning echoes to make a ‘sound picture’. When flying microbats emit about 10 pulses per second. When an insect is detected the pulses go up to over 100 per second. There are dozens of species of microbats in Australia, ranging from 3 to 30 grams. Many are on the Threatened Species list. Most roost in tree hollows or under bark but some species take up residence in building cavities.

Microbats are mammals. Although covered with fur, microbats are warm-blooded placental animals and they nourish their young with milk produced by the mothers.

Call WIRES Rescue Line immediately on 1300 094 737 or fill in the rescue form for rescue assistance with any bats, all WIRES bat rescuers have been vaccinated and these rescues will be attended ASAP by our rescue team.

Microbats can carry a virus that is very dangerous to humans. Whilst very few are believed to carry the virus no risks should be taken.

If you see a sick, injured or orphaned microbat please keep your distance, do not touch it or try to contain it.

• Share