flying fox

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Bat Physiology Facts 

(Courtesy Batsqld.org.au and Long Grass Wildlife Refuge)

Flying foxes and Microbats are placental mammals

They are warm blooded and deliver a furred open-eyed baby and suckle their young

The baby has oversized feet and an extra hook on the thumb hook to aid in clinging to its mother

By latching on to the mothers teat located in the wing pit the baby is carried very securely for the first five weeks of its life

From 3-5 weeks the baby cannot thermo regulate

Bats mothers are meticulous in hygiene and use their tongue to lick and groom the baby

Baby bats CANNOT fly until they are 12-13 weeks old. Many calls for rescue come after a baby has been seen for days and this seriously affects its survival.

The birds and wildlife have had a wonderful summer this year, inf act the best in over a decade.  New wildgrasses have sprung up covering the hillsides due to the extended rains and are providing plenty of food and shelter this season in contrast to years of dry, burnt summers.   Check out the pics below to see what they have been doing.

(click on the 'next' button to forward through the slides).

Previous Slide 1/36 NextWillie and Nellie learning to sing against the cloudy skiesLush green grasses fill the paddocksThe eagles are a hunting up abovewhile Rainbow lorikeets are sortingout territorial boundaries belowThe babblers have moved inhaving negotiated their rightsThe wallabies are enjoying the rich pickingsalong with Bertie Vicky Mindy and KennyBilly's family is happy tooLarry and Harrie are singing to gloryThe Crested pigeons are thrilled to bootsMaggie's son Monty has found new friendsKenny wants to get up close and personalGabriel Tuks joined the bat creche and returned to the colonyCharlie Girl is fully recovered and adores PeteJack is much happier now he can fly furtherWallabies relax in the shade at the Long Grass Wildlife RefugeJack adores GabiWild grasses spring up along the roadsidethe whole valley is green - for a few weeks at leastOne eyed Curly the currawongis looking healthy and wellGumnuts are a plentifulButterflies delightBilly's brood is growing upFrieda is all black and white but still as friendly as everNoisy miner is planning another clutch2 eggs in herewhile the nest is being fortifiedwild grasses aboundfilling the bushy landscapeto the joy of the birds and animalsThe galahs are keen to show their nestand pose for the cameraThe peewee too wants to be seen