Clive

Bunni the pallid bat came into care for severe dehydration that grounded her. Even though they are well suited to the desert, bats get dehydrated and can get exhausted and unable to fly as a result. It's very important not to give a grounded bat any water unless directed to by a bat expert. If they are dehydrated enough, water by mouth can be dangerous for them. We rehydrate bats with subcutaneous fluids before offering water by mouth.

Bunni wasn't with us very long before she was released but she was a joy while she was here. She wasn't only the most photogenic pallid bat we have seen, she was also the most calm and friendly. We miss her adorable face but we're so happy she's back in the wild. 

About Pallid Bats

Pallid bats, named for their fur color, are one of the larger bats in Arizona. They are easily identified by their light fur, giant ears, and pig-like snout. Pallid bats not only eat winged insects while flying, but they are also one of the only species that hunts on the ground. Along with winged insects, they also eat scorpions! They get stung repeatedly while hunting a scorpion but it doesn’t appear to bother them. They eat their prey on the ground or fly with it to eat at another location.

Pallid bats in captivity have a range of temperaments. Clive was a feisty bat who didn’t like being handled very much but he would calm down the second he saw his mealworms. Other Pallid bats that we have had in care, such as Halford, are very calm and easy to handle. From our experience, Pallids are either very feisty or very calm, with not much in-between.