Baby Tube-Nosed Bat being cute: this is Wiggles

Wiggles is an Eastern Tube-Nosed bat who was rescued from a barbed wire entanglement

She is being raised by a carer who says - she does a wiggly happy dance when she's about to be fed.

The carer thought she was young but didn’t know how to age her because these bat come into care infrequently and there are no reliable age charts. Due to age, dentition, lack of yellow pigment spots, 33gm/61mm she was aged as young - possibly about the same developmental age as a 10 week old Grey-Headed Flying-Fox.
The carer has been feeding her 5 times a day with fruit feeds at night.

Wiggles had a huge deficit in her right wing membrane trailing edge but this is resolving and she’s starting to try and fly now. Her unique spots have started to develop. She is starting to be weaned and will be returned to the rescuer who has a 6mtr flight aviary so we can try release if she flies well.
She’s so chilled and happy; more often tube nose are crazy and stressy.

Thanks Mandi for the video footage

Tolga Bat Hospital takes donations for the aviary fundraiser.
Mention Megabattie or Meg/Aviary in the PayPal message box and the money will find its way to the aviary building fund.
If no message box appears, please email Jenny to tell her that the money is for the aviary.

Here’s Jenny’s email.

[paulakaye]

*The Happy Dance* !!! Wiggles is so adorable! Thank you Meg for sharing Mandi's video with us!!! So glad to know her wing is healing!

[chermoody]

When she lifts her little face up she has the most precious tiny smile. Bless her little batty heart.

[WolfGoddess]

I've had an absolutely _awful_ day today, but seeing this has made me feel a lot better. Thank you, Miss Wiggles.

[lucieni]

I just love Wiggles nostrillyness.. such a beautiful beast x

[ChefMimsy]

My new favorite bat species- I could swear she was smiling at the camera!

[robynlareau]

I had to see that again these days that wiggle baby makes my heart feel better

[lupitamihita]

What a little sweetheart! Wiggles really plucked at my heart strings.

[keldaogg]

Wiggles, you can't see me, but I'm wiggling and smiling right back at you!

[nak]

It's like she wants to be cuddled when nudging against your hand. :)

[leehollis]

Seeing a tube nose up close was a bucket list item. This year I had the chance to see one of them. Amazing batties

[soniafrontera]

Her cuteness leaves me speechless. God is so creative! 👼

[KindCountsDeb]

Oh, what a wonderful color she is ! Last one I saw with you had the spots, so unique and unexpected for me. And, I so like their grin. Lovely lil' thing.

[ellenburkheimer]

Another Cuteness overload. You can get lost in those eyes.

[tracyjacoby]

Re-watching and feeling so much happier!! Wiggles is so beautiful!!🤎🦇🤗💕💕🥰

[zxyatiywariii]

What an adorable wiggle-dance! And her eyes are shining with excitement too. ❤️

[tamarrajames]

I figured while I was revisiting Wiggles I would get the whole experience again. I wish I could hit like every time I view.🖤🇨🇦

[Spike-cktj]

Wiggles is simply gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Meg/Mandy.

[tamarrajames]

While I freely admit a preference for the Flying-fox bat...I have to say Wiggles is one of the cutest little critters I have ever seen, such big eyes, and endearing ways. Her happy dance was so funny she made me try to breathe my tea(not a good idea). Wiggles has the most beautiful colour and gloss to her coat. She is going to really be missed by Mandi I think...it looks like there is a real bond on both sides. I hope her wing heals enough for her to really fly.🖤🇨🇦

[albertogutierrez]

The timing could not be more appropriate. We all have had a negative opinions about bats. After a recent world pandemic, we have learn and finally got close and personal with this species. They were never the cause. How beautiful and fascinating these animals are. They are so important to the ecosystem. I just can't stop seeing these videos. I am mesmerized by them.

[tracyjacoby]

Thank you Meg for sharing Mandi's awesome video, Wiggles is adorable!! I love hearing rooster crowing in the background!!🐓🤗💕