Currently we have 4 Egyptian Fruit Bats. They are all males and get along quite well.
Our bats came to us in early October of 2010 from a private individual with a small colony of these bats. They are all males, 2 of them are quite young, under the age of three, and the other two are at least 7 years old. Their life expectancy is about 30 years.
We have given them Egyptian names: Tut, Ramses, Imhotep, and Azizi. The first two names are of Egyptian Pharaohs, Imhotep was a chancellor to the Pharaoh and the name Azizi means precious.
Some time in May of 2012 we will be acquiring two baby Straw-Colored Fruit Bats. We are very excited to add these bats to our presentations. With care and training they should become wonderful educational animals. We will post pictures as soon as they are available.
Since they are fruit bats, they are quite easy to feed and care for. Every night they are given a delicious fruit salad that may include bananas, mangoes, cantaloupe, apples, pears, grapes, papaya, and figs. Vitamins and minerals are supplied through a delicious liquid nectar that they are given several times a week. Although they do not need any vaccinations, they do have regular visits with our veterinarian.
Can anyone own bats and have them as pets?
Native species of bats cannot be captured, sold or traded. Most are protected by state and federal laws. Some are on the Federal Endangered Species List. There is a danger with native species of contracting rabies, although, less than ½ of 1 percent of bats actually contract rabies. Only persons with a rabies vaccination should ever attempt to handle a native species, and this should only be done to remove an unwanted bat from a residence, or other areas where they come into contact with pets or people. The only bats that can be kept by private individuals in the United States are non-native species acquired through legitimate licensed animal traders. Each animal that is acquired must have a transfer of ownership that would show where they originated from. Violations of this would result in the forfeiture of the animals.
Egyptian Fruit Bats
These bats are among the smallest of the mega bats and belong to a sub-order of Old World fruit bats. Their scientific name is Rousettus Aegyptiacus.
Their body length ranges from 110 -130 mm (about 4 to 5 inches). Their forearm length measures from 65 - 103 mm (3 inches) The length of their tail is about 14 mm (less than 1/2 an inch). Their total wingspan measures from 30-45 cm (about 1 ½ feet). Their average weight is 81-171 grams (4 to 6 ounces).
There are ten species of Egyptian fruit bats that occur in a variety of habitats from valleys to mountainous areas where they find shelter in ancient tombs, temples, rock crevices, garden trees, and most commonly in caves.
Egyptian Fruit Bats are able to roost in these types of places because they have the ability to emit a low level echolocation call. The rousettus bat is the only old world fruit bat that can echolocate.
Bat Image Gallery
Click the arrows to scroll to more images. Click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge the picture.
Home | Live Bat Shows | Our Bats | Interactive | Bat Info | Resources