Flying-foxes smell very different from humans. They probably think we smell quite strange and bad also. Despite the strong smell that often comes from flying-foxes, they are not dirty. They spend many hours daily grooming and their personal hygiene is excellent. Their smell helps them identify each other and communicate complex things like ‘Keep your distance’ and ‘I like you’. One dominant odour is a musk-like ‘perfume’ that males use to mark their breeding territories. What you find smelly, they find irresistibly seductive.

Flying-foxes only take 15-20 minutes to digest food and mostly defecate away from their camps. They also poo in flight and people can have their washing, cars and houses bombed with bat poo. It’s best to always bring your washing in before dusk, and if you do get some bat poo on your car or house, simply put a wet towel or cloth over it, let is sit for a while and simply peel away.

For more info on bats and their food trees please visit www.abs.ausbats.org.au

If you find an injured or sick flying fox or any bat, please contact the Bat Rescue Hotline urgently on 0488 228 134 and for more info please visit www.bats.org.au