The Silent Foragers Bats

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Bats are a vital part of Brisbane’s ecosystem, working silently at night to pollinate plants and control insect populations. Learn about flying foxes, microbats, their environmental roles, and how to safely handle injured bats.

The Silent Foragers Bats
The Silent Foragers Bats

Types of Bats in Brisbane

1. Flying Foxes

  • Species in Brisbane:

    • Black Flying Foxes (Pteropus alecto): Black fur across their entire body.

    • Grey-Headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus): Grey heads with red or orange fur around their neck.

  • Foraging Behavior:

    • Fly up to 100 km in a single night searching for ripening fruit, nectar, nuts, and flowers.

    • Play a key role in pollinating native plants and dispersing seeds, essential for forest regeneration.

2. Microbats

  • Unique Traits:

    • Tiny insectivorous bats that use echolocation to hunt prey in three dimensions.

  • Environmental Role:

    • Consume over half their body weight in insects per hour, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests.

    • Reduce the need for chemical pesticides, benefiting both health and the environment.

Why Bats Are Essential to Brisbane’s Environment

1. Pollination and Seed Dispersal

  • Flying foxes are essential pollinators for many native plants and trees, ensuring long-term forest health.

  • They help regenerate vegetation by spreading seeds over large distances.

2. Natural Pest Control

  • Microbats consume thousands of insects every night, including mosquitoes and crop-damaging pests.

  • This reduces the reliance on harmful pesticides, protecting ecosystems and human health.

Safety Tips for Handling Injured Bats

1. Don’t Touch Bats

  • A small percentage of bats carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which can transmit through bites or scratches.

  • Handling bats without proper training can harm both the bat and the person assisting.

2. Steps to Help an Injured Bat

  • Protect the Bat: Place a box over it to shield it from predators.

  • Contact Professionals: Call Bat Care Brisbane’s helpline at 0488 228 134 for assistance.

  • Vaccinated Carers Only: Bat carers are trained and vaccinated to safely rescue and care for bats.

3. Reporting Bats on Powerlines

  • If you see a bat on powerlines, report it—it may have a baby clinging to it.

Understanding Health Risks and Misinformation

1. Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)

  • A rare virus that can transmit to humans through scratches or bites.

  • Ensure only trained and vaccinated carers handle bats.

2. Hendra Virus and Bats

  • Bats are known to carry antibodies for Hendra Virus, which can transmit from horses to humans.

  • Research is ongoing to understand how horses are infected, but there’s no evidence of bat-to-human transmission.

3. Avoid Persecution

  • Bats are vital for ecosystem health; they should not be harmed or persecuted due to misconceptions.

Batty Boat Cruises: Experience Bats in Action

  • What to Expect: Watch thousands of bats take flight at dusk on Batty Boat Cruises run by Wildlife Queensland.

  • Educational Fun: Learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures from experts during the cruise.

  • More Information: Visit Wildlife Queensland’s Batty Boat Cruises.

How to Support Bats and Their Ecosystem

1. Create a Bat-Friendly Garden

  • Plant native flowering trees and shrubs to provide food for flying foxes.

  • Avoid removing hollow trees, which provide shelter for bats and other wildlife.

2. Protect Bats from Harm

  • Avoid using harmful pesticides that can poison bats through their food sources.

  • Educate others about the ecological importance of bats to dispel myths and reduce persecution.

3. Volunteer or Donate to Bat Rescue Groups

  • Support organizations like Bat Care Brisbane or Wildlife Queensland to help rescue and rehabilitate injured bats.

Bats may work silently at night, but their role in keeping Brisbane’s ecosystem healthy is impossible to ignore—from pollinating native plants to naturally controlling pests. Want to support these vital foragers and learn how to protect them safely? At Peter the Possum Man, we’re committed to helping you coexist with local wildlife. Need advice on managing bats near your property or assisting injured wildlife? Contact us now for expert, eco-friendly solutions tailored to your needs.




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