Experiencing Bats Up Close: A Bat Rehabilitator’s Perspective

No, I have never had a bat caught in my hair. If such an event did occur, I would immediately seek medical advice and possibly get rabies shots. Bat bites are tiny, and most people might not even notice them.

Why I Never Had a Bat in My Hair

While I have never had a bat get entangled in my hair, the common belief that bats might seize an opportunity to nestle into your hair is a tale more suited to folklore. I have experienced bats flying near and even brushing past me, particularly their delicate wings, but these moments are as gentle as a butterfly's kiss. I have, however, received rabies vaccinations due to my work as a bat rehabilitator, which is a legal requirement. Even without this, it would still be wise to be vaccinated if working with bats.

Bats and Rabies: Understanding the Reality

Contrary to popular belief, only a small fraction of bats carry rabies. In fact, the virus is transmitted through bites from rabid animals, so the risk to humans is minimal. Even when handling these creatures, I have never been bitten or scratched to the point of breaking the skin. However, safety should be a top priority for all professionals working with bats.

Observing Bats in Nature

As a rehabilitator, I have had the unique opportunity to observe bats in their natural habitat. One such experience was standing at the entrance of a bat cave as they emerged for their nightly foraging. Another was participating in the use of harp traps for research and tagging purposes. These traps utilize fine vertical wires that bats fail to pick up on echolocation, causing them to strike and drop into a bag. The process is humane, and it’s fascinating to hear the harp-like sound these devices make while in action.

Close Encounters with Bats

Once, I stood just inside the entrance of a bat cave, a mere shadow of human presence. In those situations, bats are typically familiar with their environment and thus less likely to detect me. Despite this, many bats noticed my presence and often brushed against me, like a feather-light touch. Though rare, it’s still possible to get hit by a bat flying at low speed, akin to being patted with a toy balloon. Personally, I never had a bat get caught in my hair, even with my long hair and beard. Such incidents are unheard of in the bat research community.

Handling Bats for Rehabilitation

During the early days of my work, I wore gloves for additional protection against bites. Over time, I learned to grasp the bats gently without causing injury. Only the largest bat species, the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), could break skin with their bite. Thanks to my guitar-calloused fingertips, I eventually stopped wearing gloves and still remained unscathed. This underscores the low risk of rabies transmission from bats, unless they are exhibiting unusual behavior or have been diagnosed as rabid.

Personal Experiences with Bats in Home Settings

Even now, while living in older homes, bats occasionally become trapped indoors. I have learned to enjoy their presence, watching them flutter around the room before gently catching them in a towel for release. Thankfully, none of them have ever shown an interest in human hair.

I have never received a rabies shot for handling bats, as the risk remains extremely low for those who handle bats responsibly and take necessary precautions.