AboutEdward Expertise I am a wildlife rehabber in North America and can answer questions on many species, especially North and South American Species
Experience I have handreared many different types of animals, mainly raccoons, oppossums, raptors, songbirds, crows, deer, and bears. I also have worked in animal centers and zoos.
Organizations World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International.
Publications Ranger Rick Magazine
Education/Credentials Degree in zoology and wildlife biology.
Expert: Edward Date: 7/6/2008 Subject: Bat On The Ground
Question In south North Carolina I saw a small bat on the ground, curled up. I took a long stick and started poking it, trying to get it to fly where it would be safe. It started bouncing around, then curled up again. I think it was a fruit bat since it was smaller than my shoe, and had small ears.
Then, I took the stick again and put it near it, and it hopped on it and hung upside down, like what I think they're supposed to do. I mean, it was surrounded by little kids, I was holding the stick so it was probably wobbly, and it just hung there like nothings the matter.
So then I set it down, and it hopped to my shoe, and clung onto my sock. No, it didn't try to bite me. It just hung for a few seconds, doing nothing, and then hopped and flew away.
Are bats supposed to have a hard time getting back up to fly (I thought it was still learning, I thought they could just fly away like a bird)? Was it scared of me (even if it approach calmly without being crazy), curious, aggressive, even if it was totally calm when it hung on my sock, or what? Is this a sign of rabies? And why did it choose to me to hop on when a bunch of little kids 10 and under (I'm 13, an animal lover) were watching it? I know I was trying to feed it a banana, but it seemed like it just wanted to fly away.
Answer Hello Erin.
No, this is not at all normal bat behavior. Bats should never be seen during the day, especially not on the ground. Without laboratory testing to confirm, it is impossible to know for sure if a bat has rabies. However, this one definitely seems to. Inability to fly, on the ground, and out during the day, not to mention a lack of fear toward humans, are all signs of bat rabies. It is only contagious if a human came into direct contact with the bats blood or saliva. Or if someone was bitten. You should call a police officer or animal control officer to remove the bat. I would also suggest you go to the doctor and get tested for rabies because it was on your sock. The chances of you having contracted it are slim, but far better safe then sorry.
Bats are nocturnal, and if they are on the ground, they are either injured or sick. Bats learning to fly tend to do so in the cave or building in which they roost. They get right back up if they fall. Also, make sure none of the kids touched the bat at all. And if they did, have them tested as well.
