Hi all,

I found this community a few days ago, and wanted to poll members here as you all seem very kind and knowledgeable. As a kid, I absolutely loved bats! I have distinct memories of my parents reading me “Stellaluna” before bed and loving the illustrations.

However, after an experience being bitten by a stranger’s dog last year, I’ve developed some intense anxiety about the dreaded r-disease. In this case, the dog was vaccinated and I was totally fine, it’s just the “what-ifs” that get me!

This all brings us to last night. I took my dog out around dusk, and while we were outside, two brown creatures flew to the side of me and whisked away. They were going pretty fast and I damn near jumped out of my skin! I don’t believe they touched me and they didn’t seem to deviate from their path. I also have a lot of birds in my hedges (house sparrows I think), so of course I can’t say for certain if what I saw was really two bats.

For context, I live in the suburbs just west of Boston, so we have a decent amount of bat species around. I have already contacted my doctor, who isn’t concerned, and I couldn’t find any marks or bites. I also know that bats are great echolocators and will avoid people if they can. I guess I’m just wondering what it would feel like if a bat did hit me or brush up against me, and how quickly scratches heal from the little guys (I know you all must be tired of hearing people talk about how everyone says bat marks can go unnoticed!).

And now for a fun question, if someone came to you and asked for advice on how to love bats again, what would you tell them? I really am an animal lover, and I don’t want to get wigged out whenever I see a little critter just living its life anymore!

Thanks, all! Keep up the great subreddit 😊🦇

Hello! I was wondering if anyone has a photo of the honduras yellow bat flying? Google came up short for me and I’m thinking of getting a tattoo of the little fellas, but I can’t seem to find a pic of them flying anywhere. Thanks and I’m so glad there’s a community of ppl who think bats are super cool and cute!💖

What do bats sound like in flight? Do they flap, buzz, hum, squeak?

I post more like them on my instagram accounts if you wanna follow! The links are this and this

I find bats fascinating and don't want to use poison or anything harmful obviously. They're under my eve vents behind a screen (so not loose in the attic itself).
I tried searching results thru here but must suck at "internets".

thanks for any help, their urine is staining the outside wall below their roost.