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What's the risk of contact with bats outdoors? I often go for twilight walks and see them flying from tree to tree. But I sometimes wonder if a rabid one coul
by spazrunaway 5y ago
What's the risk of contact with bats outdoors? I often go for twilight walks and see them flying from tree to tree. But I sometimes wonder if a rabid one could swoop by, scrape me with its teeth, and I'd never even know. Maybe that's too paranoid...
- inglor_cz 5y agoBats generally avoid people outdoors. Your risk grows significantly if you enter their caves etc. Even bat guano is a good source of dangerous pathogens. If you sleep with your window open, I recommend installation of a screen. Not just against bats, against insects, too. My wife got stung by a hornet when she stepped on it with a bare foot (it was right next to our bed on the floor) and it was a very painful experience. Our next residence is definitely going to include screens.
- throwawayboise 5y agoYou're too paranoid. Bats have good enough echolocation ability to eat mosquitoes out of the air. They aren't going to fly into you by accident. Bats do a lot of good keeping other insects under control.
- powersurge360 5y agoBats do do a lot of good, but you also can be bitten by a rabid bat without knowing it. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/16/health/cases-a-bat-s-swift-bite-unfelt-that-could-bring-rabies.html https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/16/health/cases-a-bat-s-swif...
- woeirua 5y agoPretty unlikely if you're walking around outside. You'd hear/feel the bat flying near you.
- b112 5y agoMore worrisome should be lightning. Or even dying due to bedsheets.