 Big
brown, little brown and evening bat pups are born without fur and
with their eyes closed. Their eyes are usually open within 2 to 10
days. Depending upon the species, these mothers have one to two
babies. Pups sometimes become orphaned when bat exclusions are
preformed at the wrong time of the year. The Bat World facility receives dozens of these
orphans each year.
Bat World milk formula is used to feed
bat pups.
Subcutaneous injections of electrolytes
are given to treat dehydration.
 In
most cases these pups can be fed warmed formula with a glass
medicine dropper. A small drop of warm milk is placed onto
the pups lips to encourage it to lap. After it begins to lap, warm
formula us dispensed a drop at a time until it's tummy is slightly
rounded.
Pups can also be taught to lap
formula from small dishes. We special order stainless steel
automotive freeze plugs for this purpose (the dish pictured to the
left is only 1 & 1/8 inch in diameter!)
 Some
pups don't grasp the concept of lapping, so they are fed with foam
eye-shadow applicator tips (right) that have been removed from the
wand. Warmed formula is dispensed onto the tip, a drop at a time,
until their tummies are rounded. Each pup nurses for approximately
ten minutes. During the feeding process it is VERY important to
keep the pups warm, dry and clean. The pups are checked
throughout the day and they are fed again when their tummies
become flat.
 After
the pups have become comfortable lapping, we are able to make
"assembly lines," to speed up the feeding process.
The pups like to cuddle close with each other while lapping.
Feedings take place up to six times daily, and the pups quickly
put on weight.
The orphans live together in warm, incubators that are padded with
cloth pouches that they hide and play in. During the day they
spend time grooming new fur growth and stretching their wings.
After the pups reach about five weeks of age their formula is
mixed half and half with
blended mealworms.
At six to seven weeks of age they are introduced to live mealworms
and fed only twice a day. At six to eight weeks of age the orphans
are moved into a large flight cage at our Wild
Sanctuary, where they hone their flight skills and learn
to forage for insects on their own. This process can take up to
two more weeks. During this time the pups are checked twice
a day and offered mealworms. Once the pups exhibit the survival
skills necessary to live on their own, they are marked for
identification, and when possible, taken to their original roost
and released back into their colony.
Photo, top right: Linda
Lancey
Remaining photos: Amanda Lollar
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