Warning:

This website explores themes of taxidermy and bat endangerment/extinction, and may be sensitive to some viewers.Images of censored taxidermy will be included. Clicking on the image will reveal the uncensored photos.

What is Taxidermy?

Taxidermy is a practice that preserves an animal's body to reconstruct it after its death. Popular forms of taxidermy involve taking an animal's skin or feathers or saving its skeletal remains.For the former method, the animal's pelt/feathers are removed and placed around a form. A form is similar to a mannequin or a sculpt to mimic the animal's frame, giving it a realistic appearance. However, not all taxidermy aims to be realistic.This practice can be considered as an artistic form and some believe that it is respectful to the animal that passed.However, can the same be said for bats?

Let's Think Hypothetically...

The holidays are coming up, and you decide to search for a gift for a loved one. They have shown interest in taxidermy, so you figure that they would appreciate another addition to their collection.You search online for taxidermy animals that aren't on the pricey side. After some scrolling, you stumble upon bat encased in resin. It stands out to you, so you take a look at the listing.

Clicking the listing takes you to its website, its description complete with details. The listing promotes it as a "creative gift" and states that it serves as a unique addition to one's collection. The seller also clarifies that the bat was bred in captivity, meaning that it is ethically sourced. There are fifteen bats in stock.What will you do?

> Purchase one!

> Search for something else.

< Back

You click on the "Add to Cart" button, reassured that the seller has plenty of these resin bats in stock. Something seems off, but since the seller clarified that the bats died of natural causes, it should be okay... right?

> Yes, it is okay! Continue with purchase.

> No, it doesn't seem right. Remove from cart.

< Back

You go ahead and purchase the bat, deciding to trust the seller. Now, you just have to wait for the bat to arrive in the mail.You have a gift for your friend, but you unknowingly bought a bat that was intentionally poached for ornamental use, and most likely illegally traded. Bats are never ethically sourced, and sellers will lie in order to take advantage of people who don't know any better.Next time you find a listing involving a taxidermied bat, the best course of action to take is to report it and stay far away from purchasing another. Websites like eBay and Etsy have been removing many listings, but some still slip through the cracks. Sellers will also migrate to other lesser-known websites to sell their products since there aren't as many restrictions.It is imperative to do research to ensure that you aren't purchasing poached animals. Contacting a reputable seller is the safest option because they will only sell ethically sourced taxidermy.

This scenario was based on a real life experience involving two friends of mine. The receiver of the gift is passionate about taxidermy, so I asked them more questions about the subject.
For more information, click here.

Just to be safe, you remove the listing from the cart. You'd rather buy something else that you would feel more confident about purchasing.You just made a close call. The bat you were about to purchase was poached and most likely illegally traded. Bats are never ethically sourced. Sellers will provide false information in their descriptions or inquiries to take advantage of people who don't know any better. If you come across a listing like this, make sure to report the listing and the seller. Selling taxidermied bats is against the policy of websites like eBay and Etsy, but some listings still slip through the cracks. We must lower the opportunities of people finding these bats.Instead of purchasing a taxidermied bat, it is much better to buy from a reputable seller that creates ethically sourced taxidermy. Doing your own research is also important, so that you know what taxidermy animals are legal to own.

This scenario was based on a real life experience involving two friends of mine. The receiver of the gift is passionate about taxidermy, so I asked them more questions about the subject.
For more information, click here.

The listing doesn't interest you, so you decide not to add it to your cart. You figure that your friend would prefer another taxidermied animal instead. Besides, the listing itself seems fishy, and there aren't any reviews from other customers to disprove your suspicions.Before you go searching for another taxidermy product more suitable for your friend, what do you do?

> Leave it alone.

> Report the listing and the seller.

< Back

You decide to leave the listing alone, deciding that it isn't worth your money.This is one of the best ways to approach this situation. You might not have been aware, but the seller was falsely claiming that the bats were bred in captivity. Bats are never ethically sourced. The bats they are selling have most likely been illegally traded.You might want to consider reporting the listing and the seller so that they are held under review. It is against the policy of websites like eBay and Etsy, which are trying to minimize this problem, but some sellers still slip through their radar. Reporting these sellers will prevent them from selling taxidermied bats, lessening the chance of an unsuspecting person purchasing one.It is imperative to do research before buying a taxidermied animal. There are plenty of reputable sellers who would be more than happy to sell you a taxidermied animal that is ethically sourced.

This scenario was based on a real life experience involving two friends of mine. The receiver of the gift is passionate about taxidermy, so I asked them more questions about the subject.
For more information, click here.

You decide to report the listing as well as the seller to place them under review. For popular e-commerce websites, selling bat taxidermy is against their policy. Taking action like this minimizes the opportunity for sellers to make money off of the bats they kill for taxidermy use.This is the best way to approach a situation of this nature. Bats are never ethically sourced. Sellers will claim that their bats were kept in captivity and died of natural causes, but this is false. Holding bats in captivity is rare and the bats are typically illegally traded.To find taxidermy that is guaranteed to be ethically sourced, you can find a reputable seller that will provide you with the gift that you have been searching for. Remember to do some research beforehand so that you can find legal taxidermy and an approved seller!

This scenario was based on a real life experience involving two friends of mine. The receiver of the gift is passionate about taxidermy, so I asked them more questions about the subject.
For more information, click here.

Interview with Anonymous Friend (A Taxidermy Collector)

Q1: What interests you about taxidermy?A: For me, it's mostly the idea of an animal "living after death" in a sense. The way its beauty can be appreciated even after the animal itself has passed. Some taxidermists will also use pelts as a form of artistic expression, dyeing the hide, or adding different elements such as dried flowers and plants.Q2: Where do you commonly find bat taxidermy, if any?A: Unlike many other animals that are commonly taxidermied, bats are not typically found deceased in the wild, as they decompose quicker than most other animals due to their small size and fragile bones. Though you can find bat carcasses in the wild, they're typically not found in any shape to be taxidermied. Because of this, most bat taxidermies are found via poaching large numbers of bats. In addition to this, in the US, it's typically not legal to keep a found bat carcass, as many bat species are federally protected.Q3: Which bat species are most commonly used for taxidermy?A: The most common taxidermied bat species would have to be the Painted Wooly Bat. Their association with Halloween is part of their demise. Its bright orange color is what makes it stand out from most other bats, and this uniqueness is what draws poachers to them.Q4: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become a taxidermy hobbyist?A: Research, research, research. Know what species it is that you're collecting and/or have found, get in contact with your local wildlife management service and research what's legal to keep in your area. If you find something cool for sale, check with the seller and ask them how they sourced it. If they don't know, or bought it off someone else, skip out on it and look for someone who's ethically sourcing their product. There's plenty of ethical collectors and sellers out there, but just as many unethical sellers who are just interested in a quick buck from people who dont know any better.Q5: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to buy a taxidermy gift for someone else?A: Again, research what it is that you're buying and who you're buying it from. Or, better yet, go out and find your own bones from your area. Theres plenty of resources out there to help you learn where to look for bones and how to clean them up.

Taxidermy fruit bat (suspected) in resin that my friend was gifted for Christmas.

Bats Need Our Help!

At this very moment, many bat species are falling victim to poachers.
As of 2025, according to the IUCN, 23 bat species are critically endangered, 85 are endangered, and 113 are vulnerable. 236 bat species are data deficient and require more conservation attention.

Many people fear bats due to potential diseases, and it is important to be mindful of this when handling them. However, bats also protect us from diseases that can be contracted by insects because they are a bat's primary food source, meaning that the insect population is under control. Without bats' help in spreading seeds and pollination, our agriculture would become negatively affected as well.

We must do what we can to prevent the decreasing population of bats. It is disrespectful to a bat's life to take it for the sole purpose of using it as decor. Take the painted wooly bat, for example. They are on the path of endangerment because poachers value the bats' unique appearance over their lives.

A painted wooly bat mid-flight.

Table of Contents:

1. What to Know About Bat Taxidermy:

• a. Introduction

• b. Gifting A Bat - Walkthrough

• c. Interview With A Taxidermy Collector

2. Affected Bat Species:

• a. Painted Wooly Bat

• b. Other Common Bats Used For Taxidermy

• c. Christmas Island Pipistrelle

3. Illegality of Bat Taxidermy

• a. E-commerce and Bats

• b. Bats Federally Protected

4. What can we do?

• a. Bat Boxes and Wind Turbines

• b. Donate to Organizations

5. References

• a. Links

E-commerce and Bats

A popular method for selling taxidermy bats is through e-commerce websites, such as eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and more. Many listings for painted wooly bats can be found on these websites, typically under 100 dollars.In order to sell their taxidermied bats, some sellers will claim that the bats are ethically-sourced, which is false. Breeding bats in captivity is very difficult, and the number of bats that they usually have in stock doesn't add up. From the areas these bats are coming from, there aren't any specialist enclosures, meaning that it's impossible for painted wooly bats to be bred in captivity.

A framed painted wooly bat listed on Etsy.

In May 2020, a study was conducted to gather data on how many bats were being sold on eBay. "This preliminary study identifies that over a 15-day period in May 2020, 4,467 bat specimens reflecting 32 different species sourced from 24 countries were being traded online" (Chaber, et al., 2021). 237 listings had been posted across many countries on eBay, and 32 different bat species were advertised. Of those 32 species, 28 were listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN.

Painted wooly bat listings on Amazon. Picture was taken
on August 9th, 2024. Photo provided by The Revelator.

In this study, painted wooly bats were among three species of bats that were commonly taxidermied on eBay. The other two species that were found were the diadem leaf-nosed bat, and the Leschenault's rousette.

Diadem leaf-nosed bat (least concern)

1. Live diadem leaf-nosed bat
2. Listing of a taxidermied diadem leaf-nosed bat

Leschenault’s rousette (near threatened)

1. A live Lechenault's rousette
2. A listing of a taxidermied Lechenault's rousette

Thankfully, eBay had taken action by banning the selling of these bat specimens. A spokesperson for eBay stated the following:“eBay is committed to animal welfare and the protection of native, endangered and threatened species. This means products from endangered or protected species can’t be listed by sellers."“We work closely with government agencies and NGOs globally to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking on our site and will review any items reported to us to ensure compliance with our policies and relevant laws."According to the spokesperson, eBay removed 257,000 listings that violated their prohibited wildlife policies in 2020. Yet, in 2025, it seems that sellers are finding ways to work around the filters, such as adding the word "insect" within their titles. Hopefully, we can spread awareness and bring it back to the company's attention.As for Etsy, they officially ceased authorizing bat specimen listings on July 29th, 2024. Hopefully, other e-commerce websites will follow their example and rid these listings from their website for good.

Federally Protected Bats

Thankfully, in the United States, the government is making an effort to protect many bat species. Bats are usually a protected species, meaning that it is illegal to keep one, regardless of whether or not it is dead or alive.Currently, as of 2025, more than 15 bat species are listed as federally endangered, threatened, or under the petition process for the Endangered Species Act. Many other bat species lack the research needed to determine their conservation status.

Painted wooly bats are not listed as "endangered" or "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. However, the Monitor Conservation Research Society and the Center for Biological Diversity have presented a petition to the U.S Fish & Wildlife Services with the goal of changing this.

Bat Conservation Organizations

Below is a list of organizations that aim to preserve the lives of bats. All of them accept donations.

• Bat Conservation International

Promoted by the IUCN. Strives to end the extinction of bats by intervening with bat endangerment, protecting and restoring landscapes, and more.

• Lubee Bat Conservancy

Protects bat habitats, offers educational programs, and makes efforts to save bats outside of the US.

• Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation

Makes an effort to protect public health, economies, and ecosystems by saving bat populations.

• Monitor Conservation Research Society

Collects research involving animals that don't attract enough attention in order to prevent their suffering population. They have put their focus toward the painted wooly bat.

Bat Boxes/Wind Turbines

One of the best ways to sustain the lives of bats is to put up bat boxes for them to roost in. Merlin Tuttle introduced bat boxes to North America and runs his own organization called Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation (MTBC). They brand bat boxes that match their criteria with their seal of approval. Setting up bat boxes approved by the MTBC will ensure that a bat can roost safely and comfortably.

Merlin Tuttle's Seal of Approval.
Image Credit: Merlin Tuttle

Another way to conserve the lives of bats is to use organic farming instead of conventional farming. Wind turbines also put bats' lives at risk, so if possible, we must encourage curtailment (generates electricity and blades' maximum rotation speed, a.k.a cut-in speed). More methods of bat conservation can be found here.

But how can we support bat species outside of America?

Uncensored Images

Clicking on the images will redirect you to their original pages.

Interview With Anonymous Friend

Painted Wooly Bat

Other Common Taxidermy Bats

E-commerce and Bats

References

• Animalia - "Painted Bat"

• Australian Geographic - "Stop buying these bats, scientists and conservationists plead"

• Bat Conservation International - "Bats & Wind Energy"

• Bat Conservation International - "Bats 101"

• Conservation Evidence - "Actions to conserve biodiversity"

• Center for Biological Diversity - "Petition to List the Painted Wooly Bat"

• Frontiers - "Bat E-Commerce: Insights Into the Extent and Potential Implication of This Dark Trade"

• Gargoyle Flagner College - "When the Bats Go, We Go: Putting a Stop to Taxidermy"

• IUCN Red List - "Kerivoula picta (Painted Woolly Bat)"

• Lincoln Park Zoo - "Fighting for Wildlife: Woolly Painted Bats"

• Lubee Bat Conservancy - "I Am Not Art"

• Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation - "About Us"

• Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation - "Selecting A Quality Bat House"

• Monitor Conservation Research Society - "Endangered Species Act Protections Sought for Painted Woolly Bats"

• Species Profile and Threats Database - "Pipistrellus murrayi"

• U.S Fish & Wildlife Services - "Bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals"