Keeping a bat as a pet

[beefa270]

Team,

Can I get a bat as a pet, my fiance loves bats like no other animal, Can you legally keep them as a pet?

I suspect no !

 

[webcol]

Not sure about legality but don't bats have bad diseases?

 

[Rocket]

I have discussed this with the FPU SA and it seems Flying Foxes can be privately kept under the Class 3 category but it seemed quite clear they weren't a fan of allowing people to keep smaller and more specialised species such as microbats etc which seem to be the ones that carry viruses....

Correct me if i'm wrong but this is what I was told. Again, this is only valid for South Australians...

 

[Kirby]

Sure, if you want to die.

Bats have diseases.

 

[ShaunMorelia]

If its native and not on the native species list you wont be able to keep them in NSW.

 

[Snake Catcher Victoria]

If you join a wildlife organisation and volunteer to be a carer you may get to look after injured and orphan bats.
If you can show that you have done your research and can provide adequate care and housing you might find yourself caring for the guys.
Its the fruitbats that mainly carry the virus and you will need to have your shot before thinking about bat care.
Cheers

 

[ravan]

as snakeman said, you could join an organisation to care for them
check out www.batrescue.org.au for more info

 

[chondrogreen]

I was a carer of flying foxs.
They are awsome fun. You really have to bond with & nurture the little guys and they don't get imprinted like birds etc.

But why would you want to keep one permantly?
They live in colonies & fly some distance of a nighttime. It would be cruel to take that away from them IMO

 

[wiz-fiz]

even though our government says we don't have rabies, we have bat licervirus, witch is basicaly rabies, from my understanding.


Will

 

[Noongato]

Bah, im sure they arnt all diseased, be just another animal myth... If they were than the species would be extinct wouldnt it?

 

[chondrogreen]

Better safe then sorry.
There has been fatalities recorded in Aus from Lysavirus.
I know I would want my shots up to date before risking a bite or scratch from one.

 

[Herc]

The only way in NSW you can legally keep them is if your an exihibitor with the appropriate licence from DPI

 

[Noongato]

I worry more about being pee'd on by the fruit bats as they fly overhead... Man that many bats pooing in one area is pretty gross!

 

[moosenoose]

Sure, if you want to die.

Bats have diseases.

Is that your professional opinion?? lol

 

[mysnakesau]

even though our government says we don't have rabies, we have bat licervirus, witch is basicaly rabies, from my understanding.
Will

You're quite right, but we vaccinations available which will protect you from them. It costs about $300 for it unless you go to the doctor with a scratch or bite on you and tell them a bat did it, you'll get the vaccine for free.

There absolutely nothing to be afraid of, caring for bats. Brown snakes have more reported cases of bites than bats.

 

[borntobnude]

why not keep a cute little flying fox , if the screeching all night dont keep you awake you can use the poo\guano as paint remover

 

[Kirby]

Is that your professional opinion?? lol

Yes, what are you here for...? need a prescription or something?

 

[mysnakesau]

why not keep a cute little flying fox , if the screeching all night dont keep you awake you can use the poo\guano as paint remover

Still need the vaccine. They can carry the disease, too.

 

[pythonmum]

I raised an orphaned flying fox back before lyssavirus hit Oz. They are lovely, engaging little creatures, but we were happy to give them back to the wildlife carers when they started urine bathing. (My flatmate had one, too.) If you really want one, get the vaccine series and get into wildlife rescue. They are social animals and need company. Microbats (the small, insectivorous ones) are not as interactive and are harder to feed. Flying foxes are social and visual, so easy for humans to relate to.

 

[JasonL]

I worry more about being pee'd on by the fruit bats as they fly overhead... Man that many bats pooing in one area is pretty gross!

Bats don't urinate / deficate in flight so no need to worry.