By Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

It's early September and the bat calls are beginning to come in. Colorado is home to 18 species of bats. None are fruit eaters and none are vampire bats! The bats found here are insect-eating bats and they are very beneficial because they consume literally hundreds of insects each night, including mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus.

Bats are very small mammals. Many times people call us thinking they have found a baby bat when in fact they have found an adult bat.

The bats we're most likely to come into contact with are the big brown bat and/or the little brown bat. This time of year bats in our state are very mobile as they prepare for migration and hibernation, and therefore we're more likely to see them.

Bats in our state can carry rabies. That doesn't mean that all bats have rabies but some bats found on the ground are tested and turn out to be positive. Bats have tiny mouths and tiny teeth. Just because you don't see or feel the wound doesn't mean you haven't been bitten. If you find a bat in your house and if there is even the slightest possibility that someone, even your pet, has been bitten it is recommended that you contact your doctor and the Health Department immediately, as the bat will need to be tested for rabies. If your dog or cat gets rabies vaccinations and comes into contact with a bat, a booster may be necessary. Contact your veterinarian right away.

If you find a bat outside during daylight hours there can be a variety of reasons why. Maybe the bat got cold and couldn't fly. Maybe the bat is a baby who fell off his mother. Maybe the bat was injured and can't fly. Maybe he found himself on the ground and couldn't get up. Some bats need a take-off area; they aren't able to go from the ground up into the air. Maybe the bat is sick. During cooler weather and in the fall, bats can be found on the sides of buildings, clinging to the rough surfaces, warming up in the sun. Bats are displaced during construction as well.

You can help bats by building or purchasing bat boxes to place outside. Eco-friendly alternatives to poisonous pesticides are another way to help.

Any bat found moving about or on the ground during the day should be considered sick and/or injured, as this isn't their normal behavior. If you see such a bat, please do NOT handle the bat, or allow your children or pet to handle the bat. Call the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 719-227-5200 during normal business hours or contact us at 719-683-8152, or visit us at www.ellicottwildlife.com and click the Help button to find a licensed rehabilitator near you for help.

EWRC

P.O. Box 75069

Colorado Springs, CO. 80970