Bats should live in trees and caves, but humans have had the effect of reducing these places, so bats have had to find new places to live. Pipistrelle and Serotines choose buildings like houses and factories to roost in. Others prefer places that include bridges, barns, Churches (porches and roofs, not the belfry, as the saying suggests!) mines, ice houses, cracks in cliffs, vaults, bunkers and deep basements, as well as old nest holes of birds, including bat boxes.

No. A recent study, comparing the survival of dolphins in captivity from 1940 through 1992 showed no significant difference in ASR between the "captive population" and the Sarasota Bay population. The ASR for the captive population was 0.944 (life expectancy: 17.4 years). Also in captivity dolphins have reached ages over 40 years. source: R.J.Small and D.P.DeMaster (1995) Survival of five species of captive marine mammals. Marine Mammal Science 11(2):209-226.

Yes - they usually migrate to New Mexico during October & November, so there's a good chance you'll see them. And please be kind to them: we like 'em 'cuz they eat 'skeeters and other flying bugs, making it a nicer place for the rest of us.

The majority of bats inhabit tropical forests. About 70% of bats eat insects and many tropical species feed exclusively on fruit or nectar. A few are carnivorous, hunting small vertebrates, such as fish, frogs, mice, and birds.

Bats can be found living in almost any conceivable shelter, though they are best known for living in caves. Many species have adapted to living in buildings as they natural habitat has been destroyed.

That depends on the health and condition of each animal. Sometimes a bird will have an injury or illness prior to oiling and that will call for an extended stay in captivity. The quickest a bird can be released is usually around 5 days however most average up to 7 days in captivity. Our goal is always to get them in and out as soon as possible to reduce the effects of captivity.

The animals in our care are captively bred and not able to hunt or defend themselves in the wild. Over 90% of the animals in our care are socialized and do not have their natural fear of humans. This could potentially further cause them harm by cars, hunters, etc. At Vanishing Species, we strive to provide a safe, healthy, care-free life for each of our animals.

No. Research has shown that insectivorous bats are selective feeders and mosquitoes make up a very small percent of their diet. They will typically feed on the larger insects. Bats can also harbor and transmit rabies. Bats are not an adequate means in controlling the population of mosquitoes.

Bats often roost under eves at night and leave early in the morning before sunrise. During the day they roost in and among cracks, crevices, foliage, caves, and other manmade objects like attics, barns, and abandoned buildings where it is quiet and less chance of disturbance. Never attempt to touch or forcefully remove a bat from your home. The best method is to make your home less appealing. First try using bright lights in the area that they prefer to roost.

Bats are the only flying mammals. They have well-furred bodies with naked, transparent wings. Their wings are a membrane spread across elongated arm bones and fingers. An average wingspread is six inches. They also have tail membranes. Some species can fly distances up to 200 miles. To start flying, a bat drops from its perch. If it is on the ground it usually crawls to some height until it can drop into the air.

Bats are among the world's least appreciated and most endangered animals. I suggest that you visit Bat Conservation International's Web site, which has links to a great deal of information on bats, including a link that provides information on how to find a reputable bat removal service -- one that does not harm the bats. Your local university extension office may also provide information and assistance. Our Web site contains much information on bats.

ANSWER: Look at the US Fish and Wildlife Service educational page on Bats. For information on Bat Management around the home see the USGS page on bat management. There are also several bat conservation organizations. If you are still interested in exterminating them, call a professional pest control company. See your local yellow pages, or go to Online Yellow Pages

Yes. All bats received a press free of charge before leaving the store. This reduces the time you need to spend preparing the bat.

Well, you had me stumped on this one, so I called the folks over at Sea World Orlando. Sea World has a manatee rehabilitation program, and they care for manatees that have been orphaned or injured in the wild. Manatees are herbivores, and in the wild they eat a large variety of aquatic plants. The Sea World staff told me that the manatees living at the park usually eat a diet that consists of romaine lettuce, apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

We strongly oppose this belief. Keiko is healthy and making great progress. By contrast, captivity continues to prove deadly for orcas. 21 have died in marine parks since Keiko's move from Mexico. Many of them were younger than Keiko. Unlike the shortened and depressed lives of orcas kept in small tanks performing tricks, Keiko has returned to the ocean and to the company of wild whales.

Honey badgers may be found in the following zoos: Bloemfontein Zoo (South Africa); Howletts Zoo (England); Johannesburg Zoo (South Africa); Zoological Center Tel-Aviv (Israel); Tel-Aviv University Zoo (Israel); Nehru Zoological Park (India); Riyadh Zoological Gardens (Saudi Arabia), Sharjah Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildife, United Arab Emirates, San Diego Zoological Garden, California, USA

No, not at all. Wild dolphins and whales reach ages well above 30 years. In captivity, however, the average age for dolphins is 6 years. They tend to develop disturbed behavioural patterns too. Some countries, for example Britain have given up on keeping dolphins in zoos.

Many mammals carry rabies. In the western United States the Coyote, Gray Fox, and the Striped Skunk are the most common carriers of the rabies virus. Most bats are insectivorous which means that they eat insects. The Mexican Free-tailed bat is commonly found throughout the southwest U.S. A large colony of this species can consume over 200 tons of insects nightly. Other bats eat nectar, pollen, fruit, blood and even meat (i.e. frogs, fish, reptiles, and bats).