Bat House Forum

[Rick]

As of a few weeks ago I rescued a Little brown bat from  getting a shovel bashed over its head. A friend of mine cranked up the heat in her pole barn to 80 degress and woke the poor guy up. I live in the Chicago area. I tried to get severla wildlife rehab places to take him but they all told me they would put him down(state policy). After talking with several bat people(who didnt want to take him), I decided to try to get him trough winter hibernation. I am keeping him as close to 35 to 40 degrees as possible. Im worried that he used up his fat reserves trying to avoid getting killed by my friend. So far he seems to be resting comfortable in the 10 gal fishtank hanging from the screen top. He moves to the bottom from time to time with temp fluctuations. When in spring do I release him. Yes it its a male.

[Joe Spencer]

If he makes it to spring, I would release him ( gradually warm his enclosure first) on a night in which you see a hint of flying insect activity ( ie. check white streetlights or house lights for insects).   Do your best to get some bat houses up first and ya never know, maybe he'll take up a seasonal residence there.