In the large maternity colonies of Mexican free-tails, the mother must find her own pup among the thousands. The warm conditions are essential for rapid growth and survival. Babies roost in the highest reaches of the cave, where temperatures are the warmest. Young Mexican free-tailed bats roost separately from their mothers. If a baby falls to the cave floor the mother will not come to its rescue giving predators a chance for a quick meal.Ī single free-tail baby bat is born during the summer. Snakes, raccoons, house cats, owls, and other predators sometimes manage to gain access to the roosts. In those colonies it is estimated that 250 tons of insects can be consumed every night. Some roosts are known to contain millions of bats. These bats are not currently threatened or endangered.įree-tail bats consume enormous amounts of moths and other insects. Mexican free-tails are found in the western United States, south through Mexico, Central America and into northern South America. The water attracts the insects they eat, as well as allowing them the opportunity to drink. Mexican free-tails prefer to roost in caves, but will also choose attics, under bridges, or in abandoned buildings. Please contact the Bat Conservation Trust if bats are in your living space.Most of these bats migrate south to Central America and Mexico during the winter. Bats and their roosts are legally protected and it's important to know whether a bat is an adult or juvenile. If you often find bats in your house, especially baby bats, then they might be roosting in your roof. Don’t try to catch a bat that’s flying, as this will put both you and the bat at risk.īat roost in your house If you’re worried about a bat roost in your house, or you think you’ve accidentally disturbed a bat roost, please contact the Bat Conservation Trust for detailed advice. If the bat isn’t flying, or it’s during the day, contact the Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 1300 228 for advice on what to do if a bat has entered your living area. Remember to check that the bat has left and isn't hiding behind furniture or curtains. Finally, dim the lights and the bat should make its own way out of the room. Move anything that might block the bat’s way out the window, such as the curtains. Close the door to contain the bat in one room, then open all the windows as widely as you can. If the bat is flying around your house and it’s night time, then keep the room calm and quiet to stop the bat from becoming stressed. Being in a cat's mouth can cause injuries that we can’t see, so even if the bat seems fine, it will still need treatment by a vet or bat carer as a precaution. If you think you might have been bitten or scratched by a bat, follow the Bat Conservation Trust's advice as bats can carry diseases that can pass to humans.Ĭat has caught a bat If a bat has been caught by a cat, then it should always be treated as if it's injured. You should avoid touching or handling bats unless it's absolutely essential, and always wear thick gloves if you do need to handle them. They will tell you how you can help the bat, and how to handle and transport a bat safely. Instead, contact the Bat Conservation Trust on their website or by calling their helpline on 0345 1300 228. Bats need highly specialised care, so please don't try to look after a sick or injured bat yourself. They may be sick or injured too, so sometimes they will need to be checked by a vet or bat carer before they can be released. Bats can't take off from the ground, so they’ll need help.
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