Bat World Hampton Roads

Hampton “Roads” is a colonial term for the waterways that carried the New World exploration and commerce through the region. Bat World Hampton Roads is located in beautiful southeastern Virginia, also known as America’s “first region”.

Bat World Hampton Roads has the unique opportunity to work with bats from diverse habitats. Virginia shares the diversity of bat species found in both the Northeast and Southeast. All of Virginia’s bats are insectivorous and feed on a variety of night flying insects, many considered pest insects. About half of Virginia's bat species depend upon caves as sites for sleeping and raising their young. The other half rely upon trees, old woodpecker holes, old logs, tree hollows, rock crevices or ledges, under bridges and other man-made structures for shelter. Seventeen different species have been documented in Virginia but only 14 bat species are considered to be resident. Some bats found in Virginia migrate south to warmer weather for the winter. Other species migrate to caves or mines to hibernate through the winter. Some bats, if they are able, hibernate in their summer roosts. It is not uncommon to occasionally find bats in houses during the winter when bats wake up temporarily from hibernation and move around.

Bat World Hampton Roads provides statewide rescue assistance throughout the year in Virginia.

In addition to being a rescue center, Bat World Hampton Road’s dual focus is public education. Each year, numerous outreach programs are given to schools, nature centers, libraries and other groups interested in learning about the benefits of bats. Bat World Hampton Roads offers three different entertaining, yet educational, programs for all age groups throughout the state of Virginia as well as other states. The public is able to meet bats from around the world, including tropical fruit bats native to other countries. Fees collected from these educational programs help to provide food and medical attention for the center's non-releasable bats. 

Bat World Hampton Roads provides statewide rescue assistance throughout the year. Virginia's bats are most active in the warmer months, however may be encountered year-round.

If you have found a bat, contact us at 757 346-0959.

If you have been bitten by a bat, have had the bat come in contact with mucous membranes or have small children who have handled the bat, contact your local health department.

Misplaced Bats

Sometimes bats have to adapt to live in the eaves, attics or around chimneys of houses due to unsuitable or unavailable natural habitat, especially in urban areas. Occasionally, bats make mistakes and end up in the house. They don’t want to be in the house anymore than you want them there. Getting a bat out of the house is really rather simple. Most importantly, stay calm.

If you are in a room in which a window or door may be opened, do so. If at night, turn on the lights, this does not bother them and will aid in their exit. Stand to one side of the room and do not chase the bat in efforts to get it out. This will only scare the bat and make the process take much longer. Let the bat calm down. It will either find its way out if allowed to or will get tired and will land. If it does not find its way out, once it lands, you can gently place a coffee can or other container over it, scoop it up and let it go outside. Once a bat has gotten into a house, does not mean that it will be more likely to do so again. Often it happens in the month of August when newly flighted young born that spring start venturing out into the world and makes a wrong turn. It can also occur during the winter months if bats are hibernating in your house.

Often in the winter months, people find bats that have awaken from hibernation and have mistakenly moved into the dwelling of the home. When the weather is cold, few insects are flying about and are available as food for the bats. Bats can thermo-regulate to save body energy (true hibernation) until the cold weather passes and insects are available again. Periodically during hibernation, bats will wake up due to a change in temperature (a cold snap or warm spell) in which they seek out optimum temperature for hibernation and sometimes end up in houses. If this happens, do not release them outside. Snow or ice could be covering the entry to the hibernating area, preventing their return and they could die. Please contact us or a rehabilitator in your area.

Downed Bats

Often in times of cold spells during the spring, summer and winter, people find bats that have fallen while in torpor (short-term hibernation). When the weather is cold, bats will pass the cold spell in torpor to conserve energy. When bats are in the state of torpor, they are inactive and can not fly. Warming the bat will often allow the bat to become active again to fly away. If you have doubts or believe the bat is injured, contact us at once.

In Virginia, pup season can start earlier than in most parts of the United States depending on how warm the spring is. Pup season can start as early as April and last as late as August. Baby bats can have fur or no fur depending on the species (most babies found do not have fur). Baby bats can not fly. It is critical that baby bats get the proper care as soon as possible. Keep the baby bat warm and contact a rehabilitator in your area as soon as possible! Time is critical. See local rescue for a list of bat rehabilitators or contact us. If you find a bat during the months of September through February - it is not a baby bat. Some bats are very small.

Bats Most Often Encountered in Virginia

The most common bats encountered in Virginia are the Big brown bat and the Little brown bat.

The Big brown bat is found in a wide range of habitats and found throughout the state of Virginia. They occupy farmlands, cities, parks and forests. Typical roosts are bridges, tree hollows, snags, attics, barns or other man made structures, as these bats are very adaptable. They also use bat houses. This species will usually use the same foraging routes night after night. Foraging starts anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour after sunset, though as with other bats, they do not forage in the rain or cold temperatures. Maturity season is usually late May to Early June with 2 pups born. They are not as migratory as other bats and may use the same roost for summer as in winter.

The Little brown bat is another bat found in a wide range of habitats. They are found in all of Virginia expect the Hampton Roads region. They will use caves, buildings, rocks, trees, bridges, mines, tunnels and bat houses as roosts. Little brown bats feed along the margins of lakes and streams, foraging in and out of vegetation and over water staying within 1-2m above the surface. Maturity season is usually late April to May with 1 pup born. Most temperate bats either migrate or hibernate, but little brown bats do both. In summer, the males and females live apart, the females raise the young. When fall comes, both sexes fly south to a hibernaculum, where they mate and then hibernate. They hibernate in caves as a community. Unfortunately, the Little brown bat is one of Virginia’s bats that is severely effected by White Nosed Syndrome.

Evening bats are very small dark brown bats, often thought to be young when found by people. They are found in the eastern half of the state. Evening bats are found in temperate deciduous woodland or mixed woodlands and open areas. Roosting preferences are tree hollows, especially Cyprus but also have adapted to using man-made structures and under bridges. They forage in semi-open areas, in wetlands, stream corridors, woodland edges and parks. Evening bat maturity season is usually late May to Early June with 2 pups born to each mother. They are thought to be migratory, however, recent studies show that they may be non-migratory and continue to use their summer roosts year round.

Eastern red bats are found throughout the state of Virginia. As the name indicates, these bats are a bright orangish-red. Unlike most bats, red bats are sexually dimorphic in color. Males are more brightly colored than females, which are a dirtier sandy red color.  Red bats inhabit forests, forest edges and hedgerows. Red bats prefer to roost in the dense foliage of deciduous trees with a preference for American elms, as their coloration allows them to blend in, often hanging by one foot and looking like a leaf. They are swift flyers and are often seen foraging around streetlights though forage in open spaces, narrow streams and roads as well. They are found on the ground when they are often blown out of trees during storms when mothers have young. These bats have multiple young, usually 3-4 pups in June and therefore are unable to fly due to the weight of the young. Red bats migrate south from September to late November.

Bat Conservation

Bats are disappearing at alarming rates. Bats are persecuted by humans because of fear and misconceptions. Education is one of the priorities of the Bat World Hampton Roads. Educators travel throughout the state to spread the word about these beneficial animals. Bat World Hampton Roads also does field research and surveys.

Disturbance or destruction of roost sites due to urban development and vandalism is the greatest threat to our bats. Most bats living in Virginia prefer to roost in mature or dead trees or in caves. However, many bats are forced to take up residence in human dwellings or other buildings due to loss of these types of habitats. One can help bats by putting up bat houses. This provides bats with a safe place to live. The bats will in turn eat many insect pests in your area. For more information on some of the best bat houses for sale - see Backyard Bird Company. Mention that you were referred by Bat World and they will make an in-kind donation to Bat World.

During the winter of 2006–2007, an affliction of then unknown origin dubbed “white-nose syndrome” (WNS) began devastating colonies of hibernating bats in a small area around Albany, New York. Colonies of hibernating bats were reduced 80–97 percent at the affected caves and mines that were surveyed. Since then, white-nose syndrome or its presumed causative agent have been detected more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) away from the original site, and has infected bats in 17 additional states and adjacent areas of Canada. Most species of bats that hibernate in the region are now known to be affected; little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis), and federally listed (endangered) Indiana bats (M. sodalis) have been hit particularly hard. The sudden and widespread mortality associated with white-nose syndrome is unprecedented in hibernating bats. Most of the affected species are long lived (~5–15 years or more) and have only one offspring per year. Subsequently, bat numbers do not fluctuate widely over time, and populations of bats affected by white-nose syndrome will not recover quickly. Epizootic disease outbreaks have never been previously documented in hibernating bats.

Unprecedented numbers of migratory bats have also been found dead beneath industrial-scale wind turbines during late summer and autumn in both North America and Europe. Prior to the wide-scale deployment of wind turbines, fatal collisions of migratory bats with anthropogenic structures were rarely reported and likely occurred very infrequently. There are no other well-documented threats to populations of migratory tree bats that cause mortality of similar magnitude to that observed at wind turbines. Just three migratory species comprise the vast majority of bat kills at turbines in North America and there are indications that turbines may actually attract migrating individuals toward their blades.

Bat World Hampton Roads offers a variety of entertaining educational programs for all ages. Each program varies from another somewhat in topic from bats from around the world to the bats of Virginia. All of the educational programs dispel myths and provide the audience a great natural history and knowledge of these misunderstood creatures. Most programs are roughly one hour in duration and can be geared toward any age group, including adults. One program is specifically designed for pre-K to kindergarten and is roughly 30-45 minutes in duration.

The type of bats that are shown vary with the theme of the program. Bats shown can be from other countries (the larger fruit bats - a favorite of most people) to native species. Bat World Hampton Roads is also proud to be fortunate enough to be one of just a few organizations in the United States that has the largest type of fruit bat in the world, the Malayan Flying Fox or Large Flying Fox for use in educational outreach.

Prices vary with the type of program, but range from $100 - $150 plus travel fees. Travel fees are based on distance and are determined by the county or city within Virginia. Out of state programs are determined on a case by case basis.

Special programs for special events can also be presented. Special auditorium, festival, library, retail stores (for bat houses sales), mist-netting or outdoor programs (with non-flighted bats) can be given. Please contact us for more information and prices.

Programs are given by Bat World Hampton Roads Director, Denise Tomlinson, who is a biologist. She has been presenting educational programs for over a decade to all age groups and has been endorsed by wildlife and health department officials. She has presented educational programs throughout the United States and even Costa Rica, Canada and the Cayman Islands. References are available.

A program brochure can be mailed, emailed or faxed to you.

Denise Tomlinson, Director Bat World Hampton Roads Bat World Treasurer; Biologist; Veterinary Technician; Educator

Denise has been involved with the Bat World organization for quite some time, starting back by volunteering during the summers to assist in baby bat season at Bat World Sanctuary. She also serves as a current board member.

Denise grew up in Michigan and has a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Western Michigan University. She is very active in the bat community as a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Taxon Advisory Group for bats. She is also involved in regional bat working groups. She has authored various articles and book chapters including some on acclimating bats for use in educational programs, hand rearing of flying foxes, bats of Florida, bats of Virginia and other topics. She loves the abundance and diversity of Virginia’s wildlife. Bats are her passion but she has a special fondness for Old World fruit bats and bats belonging to the genus Lasiurus, especially red bats. She is fascinated with mega-chiropteran behaviors and social interactions. Denise has also worked as a surgical, onological, emergency and critical care technician for veterinary clinics and as a certified veterinary dental technician. She currently is a rottweiler handler in AKC, UKC, UCI venues as well as sieger style shows for clients as well as her own.

Bat World Hampton Roads is in immediate need of help in building a new flight cage for its fruit bats.  Donations in the form of Lowe's, Michael's, Bed Bath and Beyond and Wal-Mart gift cards would help tremendously in constructing and decorating a new habitat. 

Bat Food

Mealworms - available from Southeastern Insectaries (478-988-9412). Any amount is appreciated. Please ask to credit the account of Bat World.

Missing Link (dog) vitamin supplement with glucosamine - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #70519, (cost $18.50) Found through veterinarian offices, online or pet stores as well.

Vionate - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #615, (cost $15.50)

Similac Go & Grow Soy Based Formula (baby bat milk)- available from any Wal-Mart or grocery store - Found in baby section.

Meyenberg Evaporated Goat Milk (baby bat milk)- available from any Wal-Mart or grocery store - Found in baking section.

Barlean's Flax Oil (baby bat milk)- available from organic/natural food stores or some grocery stores.

Bat Care Items

Wee Wee Pads (used to pad a cages for "special needs" bats) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #1630, (cost $11.20)

Vittles Vault (2 each) (used to store supplements and mealworm medium from humidity) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #34205, (cost $11.50) and product #43409, (cost $46.00)

Fake Foliage Sprigs - vines, flowers, leaves and such for cage decoration and enrichment

Stainless Steel Bowls (6 each) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #6010 (cost $1.85 each), #6011 (cost $2.90 each) and #6012 (cost $3.65 each)

Mylar Crinkle Balls (1 case) (fruit bat toys) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #12132, (cost $17.00)

Toy Balls (1 jar) (fruit bat toys) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #5423 (cost $44.95)

Hide a Squirrel Toy (2) (used for bat roosts) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #101056 (cost $9.40)

Hide a Squirrel Jr Toy (2) (used for bat roosts) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #10573 (cost $6.75)

Hide a Bee Toy (2) (used for bat roosts) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #41055 (cost $9.25)

Hide a Bird Toy (2) (used for bat roosts) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #41054 (cost $9.25)

Hammocks (2 each ) (used for bat roosts for "special needs" bats) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #61021 (cost $4.75) and product #61020 (cost $6.95)

 Fruity Bites (3) (used for bat enrichment) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #61176 (cost $2.35)

Bells (fruit bats love bells!) - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #77827 (cost $0.35), product #7686 (cost $0.25) and product # 7687 (cost $0.59)

Mineral Salt - available from UPCO . Phone 1-800-254-upco (8726) product #MW (cost $0.40 each)

 Educational Program Supplies

Slide Scanner - to transfer presentation slides to computer format

Presentation LCD Projector

Microsoft Access Database software