Written and edited by Tammy. Information source credit to Nicola Bain. 28th January 2024
If you've ever had some of these cute little guys pay your yard a visit, don't be frightened or alarmed, just appreciate them, you may, or may not be aware of how privileged you actually are. Sure, they might make some strange eerie sounds keeping you awake at night and help themselves to some of your fruit bounty but in the bigger scheme of things if we were fully educated as to their significances, we'd understand it's actually a small price to pay.
Remember they were actually here well before us, so it's us as a society who have inconvenienced them, not the other way around. Surely, we can find it in our hearts to be a little more lenient and flexible and learn to coexist for the sake of their preservation for future generations.
Bat Facts🦇
What are fruit bats?
Grey Headed Flying-foxes, a large 'megabat' are one of four flying-fox species in mainland Australia, and they are the only ones we're lucky enough to see here.
Their natural habitat spans right the way around the coastline from QLD, through Victoria and into SA, and the coolest thing is that there's actually only one population of them, so the bats you see in Adelaide are the same group of bats you see in Vic, NSW and QLD, so they get around!!
What do fruit bats eat?
Grey Headed Flying-foxes eat flowers and fruit, but their favourite source of food is Eucalyptus blooms from flowering gums. When that's limited, they'll be tempted by your flowers and fruit trees, be it figs, loquats, pears or stone fruits.
I mentioned they were important and significant, but why?
The important role of fruit bats.
Just like our humble honeybees, bats play the same crucial role as pollinators and furthermore, seed distributors. They feed on nectar from flowers, collecting pollen all over their soft fuzzy little faces and bodies, as they continue to forage moving from one flower or tree to the next, cross-pollination occurs.
Did you know they can travel up to 50km in one night?!!
Not only are they pollinating but they're carrying the seeds of the fruit they eat and dispersing them along their journey too. In doing this they spread the genetic diversity for our forests throughout the states, ensuring the continued future food source for our Australian Native Wildlife, Koalas, possums and marsupials.
These foraging habits make the Grey Headed Flying-fox a keystone species for Eucalyptus woodlands preservation. They really are a species that entire ecosystems rely on for their survival.
That's worthy of some respect and recognition.
I personally would gladly share a few of my figs or a couple of peaches for that.
Why are fruit bats visiting my garden?
So, why are we seeing them here now more so than in previous years?
The answer to that is that they're literally running out of food elsewhere, it's becoming critical due to climatic factors, unprecedented weather events, fires and floods, and deforestation, they are left with no choice but to keep moving to where the food source is available.
What to look for.
Where might you see flying foxes? At night, you may notice flying foxes licking nectar from flowering gums, or even in a fruit tree. If you find a group of flying foxes in the day, they may be camping on your property on their way (e.g. resting for a day on a Melbourne – Adelaide trip).
Video credit to the Dobie family of Naracoorte SA
What can we do
What can we do to be respectful of these amazing creatures whilst still preserving our gardens and produce at the same time?
Maintain fruit trees to a manageable size.
Hang visual deterrents, shiny objects in the trees.
Secure fruit protection bags around fruit.
If it is necessary to net the tree use netting that has holes no larger than 5mm x 5mm and secure it tautly over the tree.
Loose oversized draping nets with larger aperture holes gives rise for the opportunity to occur where the bats can become entangled potentially causing life threatening injuries or worse still mortality. An adult bat losing its life can sadly result in a juvenile being left alone an orphan to starve to death.
If you do notice a bat in trouble, PLEASE do not touch it or attempt to help it yourself. It's crucial that you contact a qualified carer/ handler to assist with the situation. Not only do they have the correct training and PPE for handling the animal, but they are vaccinated for the diseases some Australian bats can carry.
Hotline 0475 132 093
Do bats carry disease?
Australian Bat Lyssavirus is carried by a small proportion of flying-foxes and is only transmitted from bat to human through a bite or scratch from an infected bat. Cases of ABLV are rare, but any bat could carry the disease. If you do not touch a bat, you face no risk. So, if you do find a bat in trouble, please call the authorities so they can send a vaccinated, trained carer/rescuer out to help the bat whilst keeping every human involved safe. If you think you have been bitten or scratched by a bat, seek medical attention immediately.
Hotline 0475 132 093
Sadly, a lot of the stigma and negativity surrounding bats comes down to a lack of education, and one of the quickest ways to get around this is to educate ourselves and one another.
Take the time to ask some questions to learn more, as we NEVER stop learning.
I myself didn't know a whole lot about bats until my curiosity led me to some wonderful ladies in the community who were only too happy to share their knowledge with me.
Now that my eyes are opened and I have a better understanding, I'm keen to share with you what I have learned.
Maybe you can take the time to share this with your friends and loved ones too.
I hope you've all had a wonderful 'Australia Day' long weekend, and the kiddies are keen for the first day back to school tomorrow.
As always,
Happy Gardening😘🌸🦇
Additional resources:
Photo Gallery (Grey Headed Flying-foxes by Doug Gimsey) –
No tree, no me. Ted talk by Tim Pearson –
The Australasian Flying-fox Expert Group –
Wildlife Friendly Fencing and Netting –
On Australian Bat Lyssavirus –
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