What do Microbats look like?
Take a look at our Microbat Pictures or Microbat Videos

Microbats are nocturnal. They are warm-blooded, placental mammals. They live in tree-hollows, under loose/exfoliating bark, in old sheds, in caves, and also co-exist with humans in their homes, for example, in roof spaces and wall linings.

Microbats are our natural pest-controllers, eating many hundreds of insects each night during the warmer months of the year.

In the cooler months, between May to August, our bats go into torpor, similar to hibernation. They must not be disturbed during these cooler months. If they are disturbed, they can lose their precious fat storage/supplies that they have built up ready for their slumber, and possibly die as a consequence.

What to do if you find a bat... Phone Us For Advice We can help you assess whether the bat actually needs rescuing or not. If the bat does not need rescuing, we can advise you of the steps to allow for the safe return of the bat, back to the wild after dusk.

What to do if you are bitten by a bat... Clean The Bite Site Wash the area IMMEDIATELY with soap and water for at least five minutes. Use Antiseptic Apply Betadine (Povidone-Iodine) or any antiseptic solution to the area and contact your GP or seek other medical attention IMMEDIATELY as the Rabies Vaccine needs to be commenced/administered on the day the bite occurred. Make Contact Please contact the Department of Health - Communicable Diseases Branch on Telephone: (08) 8226 7177. More Information Further information can be accessed at Department of Environment and Natural Resources www.health.sa.gov.au ...and... www.ausbats.org.au Yellow Bellied Sheathtail Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris THIS BAT MUST NOT BE HANDLED AS IT MAY CARRY ABLV (AUSTRALIAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS). LYSSAVIRUS IS A RABIES-ASSOCIATED VIRUS.

A special thank you to Terry Reardon, SA Museum for his photographs on this page and throughout the site. Also, special thanks to the Tothill Family for the use of the header image for this site.

A special thank you also to the Veterinarians and Vet Nurses at the Adelaide Zoo, Dr Phillip Ritchie (Grange Veterinary Clinic) and Dr Trudy Seidel (Para Hills Veterinary Clinic) for their dedication to the bats of Adelaide.