In winter bats are usually hibernating, but sometimes you can see them even in the coldest months. They may fly outside during a thaw, show up on the walls of buildings or in stairwells, or end up in apartments by accident.

When they see a bat in the middle of winter, many people assume the animal woke up too early and must be rescued. But that is not always the case.

Winter activity in bats is not necessarily a sign of danger. It is important to understand why the animal woke up, where it was found and whether it can return to a safe shelter on its own.

Why do bats wake up in winter?

During winter hibernation bats greatly lower their body temperature and slow their heartbeat and metabolism. Thanks to this they use a minimum of energy and can survive the period when there are almost no insects.

However, a bat's hibernation is not continuous. The animals may wake up from time to time, change their location or even fly out of their shelters.

This happens especially often during winter warm spells. When the temperature rises above zero and the weather becomes favorable, some bats may fly out to look for food. If insects become active, they may even manage to replenish their energy reserves.

However, such flights do not always end well. The temperature can drop sharply, the weather can worsen and the animal can spend too much energy. Sometimes bats fail to return to shelter, become exhausted or are left out in the open.

It is in such situations that they may need human help.

When is a bat's winter activity normal?

If during a thaw you see a bat actively flying outside, it does not mean it needs to be caught.

In favorable weather some species of bats can wake up and make short flights even in winter.

Do not try to catch a healthy bat in flight. If the animal is active, flies well and shows no signs of injury, it is best not to intervene.

Likewise, do not disturb bats that are in their winter shelters. Every unnecessary awakening costs a lot of energy and can reduce the animal's chances of surviving the winter.

How do you tell that a bat needs help?

The most attention should go to animals that are out in the open and cannot return to shelter on their own.

Signs that help may be needed:

• The bat is lying on the ground or snow. It may be exhausted, chilled or injured.
• The animal sits motionless in an open place during frost. Especially if it is not protected from wind and precipitation.
• The bat cannot fly. It tries to move but falls or cannot hold on to a surface properly.
• Visible injuries. Damaged wings, bleeding or other wounds.
• The bat has ended up in a stairwell, an apartment or another room. In this case you need to assess its condition and decide how to help the animal safely.

At the same time, a bat hanging motionless in a protected place may simply be hibernating. There is no need to wake it, touch it or move it unnecessarily.

What should you do if you find a bat in winter?

If the animal is lying on the ground, is out in the frost with no shelter or shows signs of exhaustion or injury, it is important to act carefully.

1. Put on thick gloves.

Do not pick up a bat with bare hands. Even a weakened animal may bite in self-defense.

2. Carefully move the bat out of the dangerous place.

Gently pick it up with your gloved hands. Do not squeeze its body, pull on its wings or try to spread them.

3. Prepare a box.

Use a small cardboard box with tiny ventilation holes and a secure lid. Put a piece of soft fabric without long threads or loops on the bottom.

4. Provide calm.

Put the box in a quiet place protected from frost, drafts, direct sunlight and heaters. Do not try to warm the animal up abruptly.

5. Ask for help.

Contact Home of Rescued Animals, describe the circumstances of the find and, if possible, send a photo or video. We will help you decide what to do next.

Do not try to feed, give water to or treat the bat yourself. Also do not deliberately put it into hibernation or change its temperature without proper recommendations.

Why shouldn't you just release the bat outside?

If you found a bat in winter and took it out of a dangerous place, do not rush to release it, even if it has started moving actively.

Activity does not always mean the bat is strong enough to fly and has the energy reserves it needs.

In addition, the air temperature, the weather, the time of day and the availability of suitable shelters all matter.

Releasing a bat on your own in frost or bad weather can put its life at risk. So the decision to return a bat to the wild should be made after assessing its condition.

How do you avoid harming bats during hibernation?

In winter bats may hide in basements, attics, building crevices and other protected places with a stable temperature.

If you find bats in such a shelter, follow a few simple rules:

• Do not touch the animals or try to wake them.
• Do not shine bright light on the bats for a long time.
• Do not block the entrances to shelters while animals are inside.
• Do not carry out work that could destroy the hibernation site or force the bats to wake up.

If repair work is necessary or the bats are in danger, ask for advice before intervening.

Where to ask for help?

If you found a bat in winter and are not sure whether it needs help, contact Home of Rescued Animals.

Describe exactly where you found the animal, what the outside temperature was, whether the bat is moving and whether it has visible injuries. If possible, send a photo or video.

We will help you assess the situation and suggest how to proceed.

Remember: not every bat that wakes up in winter needs rescuing. But if an animal is in danger, timely and proper help can save its life.