The Bat Zone at Cranbrook has been on exhibit for a number of years. But let me tell you a little secret I learned not too long ago: The Science Institute is open until 10pm on Friday nights. This is such an awesome spot for a date, it almost makes me want to rejoin match.com. (Okay, maybe nothing could actually be that great.) Make sure you visit with the Flying Fox! (And no, that's not my match.com handle.)
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| Dale and Straw; no telling which is which. |
Visit the Organization for Bat Conservation at Cranbrook Institute of Science to see award-winning LIVE bat programs that explore the fascinating world of bats, how to attract them, and much more. These programs feature vampire bats, large fruit bats (with 4 to 6 foot wingspans) and others. Programs are given at special times every weekend and on special occasions.
The Bat Zone is a separate building behind the main Cranbrook Institute of Science building. Bat Zone is home to over 150 bats from around the world. These bats include big brown bats, dog-faced fruit bats, straw-colored fruit bats, endangered golden (also known as Rodrigues) flying foxes, Malayan flying foxes (the largest bats in the world, with 6 foot wingspans), Egyptian fruit bats, short-tailed fruit bats, Jamaican fruit bats, Indian flying foxes, and vampire bats. Other nocturnal animals include a three-toed sloth, flying squirrels, sugar gliders, frogs, barred owl, great-horned owls, and screech owls.
All animals that live at the Bat Zone are either injured and can not be released, have come from rescue situations, have been donated from zoos that can not house them anymore, or were orphaned at a young age. We never take animals from the wild and hold strong to the philosophy that wild animals are not pets (something we stress in our educational programs). Our bats and all other animals that make the Bat Zone their home are treated with respect and love. They are ambassadors to the world and are trained to enjoy programs by using only positive reinforcement in these programs.
To learn more about bats or the Organization for Bat Conservation go to http://www.batconservation.org/.