Incredible ignorance and superstition still surround the image of bats, but bat biologists, conservation groups, and the community of spelunkers are slowly changing public perception. This change, to a more positive attitude by the public, is reflected in the increasing frequency with which rehabilitators are being asked to care for injured and orphaned bats. Unfortunately, few animal-care professionals are familiar with bats, and the literature on their captive maintenance is scarce. Therefore, I hope this manual will continue to serve as a forum for sharing new concepts, recent advances, and persistent problems in bat husbandry.

Earlier editions of this manual emphasized the care and maintenance of insectivorous bats, with the rehabilitator as the primary caretaker. Many inquiries by staff in zoological gardens and universities have created a need to expand the text to include both New and Old World fruit bats, and the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus. Considering that the order Chiroptera is distributed worldwide, feeds on a wide variety of fauna and flora, and is comprised of approximately 850 species, information in this manual is limited to bats frequently encountered by rehabilitators, or routinely maintained in zoos and research facilities.

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