BATS
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Many species of bats can be found in the Pilbara in both Megabats being flying foxes and Micobats being no bigger than the palm of your hand.
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 Megabats
These are fruit bats and flying foxes that eat nectar, fruit and pollen. They use sight and smell to find their food.
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 Microbats
These are small bats usually with large noses and ears, small eyes and small feet. They use echo-location to find their food which consists of insects.
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Lyssavirus in Bats
Australian Bat Lysavirrus is currently known to infect megabats and microbats. Lyssavirus is closely related to the rabies virus, and for this reason people are at risk if bitten or scratched by an infected bat. This includes saliva from an infected bat coming into contact with broken skin.
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If you find a bat do not attempt to pick it up. Cover it with a box and call a Wildlife carer. Currently only one carer is fully vaccinated to handle bats. She can be contacted on 0438 924 842, or contact The Wildlife Officer is Brett Lewis who can be contacted at CALM on (08) 9143 1488
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