All care of permanent captives should be underpinned by the ethical considerations (see Ethics section)
It is essential to consider the following for any long-term captives:
Opportunities for natural behaviour must be provided – bats are nocturnal creatures and will require places to hide and hang during daylight hours,
Bats are social animals and in the wild female bats will generally roost together during the summer breeding season – permanent captives of the same species (and sex) can be housed together. This should however only be undertaken following a bat’s isolation for at least six months (see Health and safety section for context). Consideration should also be given to the natural temperament of the individuals and
the available space in the cage. Male and female bats should not be placed together,
Captive bats should only be kept if they can be used for education – the frequency of use should be based upon the welfare considerations of the bat,
At all times the welfare of the bat must be a priority.
For detailed information on the care of long-term captive bats please consult the Bat Rescue Manual.