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The enrichment team at the Oregon zoo

Enrichment for Bats

Food- There are two types of bats- Mega bats and Micro bats. Mega bats (Fruit bats) eat mainly, you guessed it, fruit. Micro bats eat mainly insects using sound waves, or echolocation, to hunt at night.

Families- Bats live in roosts - large colonies of bats, usually found in caves and other dark places. A bat may also gather food for any sick bats to eat while they recover.

Location- Bats are found in many parts of the world, but mostly in damp, dark places, such as caves.


Enrichment at the Oregon Zoo

• Hanging fruits- Bats prefer to hang down from the ceilings and stay well above the ground. By hanging Fruits on the ceiling, bats can easily get to their dinner.
• Water mister to keep them damp since they love damp, dark places.
• Metal mesh on top of exhibit to hang on tightly while they sleep
• Many branches and sticks to rest on
• Indoor room for privacy exists at the bat exhibit at the Oregon Zoo.
• Exhibit design- lights turn on at night, making it look like day time, so that the bats sleep. Lights turn off in the day so that they stay awake for guests to watch them.

Learn more about bats.