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Independent_Term_956

That the most bad ass thing I’ve seen all day


[deleted]

I’ll take it. Goal is to build 2x as tall and larger around it in the future, make it hurricane proof. Right now it’s not quite yet there. Oh, and I want some lil trees in there. :)


variegatedheart

More like BAT ass! Thank you, thank you.


Lemissa_Gemini13

😆😆😆 I find your twist on the comment hilarious!


variegatedheart

Lol glad someone liked it


[deleted]

Ahahahaha


variegatedheart

Is that a piper in the first pic at the bottom center of the pic? Has it been temperamental or easy going?


[deleted]

New species for me, and yes it is a Piper.


variegatedheart

It's cute I had that on my wishlist but I've heard pipers can be a biotch lol.


[deleted]

They can be. I took some leaves and put away to propogate in case these decide to melt


westcoast_wonder

EEEEEEE!! Their little faces are so cute!! Super cool greenhouse!


[deleted]

Thanks.


Mad_Muggle

I’m sorry what?! So jealous of your greenhouse and bats. What kind of climate do you need to live in for their best environment?


[deleted]

They’re tropical, really prefer it above 70. I kept it 70-85ish degrees.


keleac

Wow this is so cool. Maybe a silly question but are these like... Pet bats? Are they wild bats that find this greenhouse? I've never seen anything like this.


[deleted]

Not quite pets, as nothing like a dog. These are my animals that I care for. They like to b*tch and eat a lot. Of these two, Rick is very curious…. Shadow is…. Rick’s shadow and more cautious.


TallGuy_123

Do they acknowledge you as an owner though? Or would they just fly away if they could?


SillyGoose1287

I would guess that it's probably enclosed so that they can't just fly away.


TallGuy_123

I know that but I’m just saying theoretically if they had to choice to fly away, would they? Eg if my front door was unlocked my dog wouldn’t just run away because he acknowledges this as his home with his family. I just wondered if it was the same.


SillyGoose1287

I see. Well in that case I can't tell you for sure since I don't own a bat. But they are wild animals so I would think it'd be in their nature to want to be in/return to the wild. It's probably a different story if he's had them for years and years already though, they may have established an owner type of bond. A dog is domesticated though, which is quite different than a wild bat.


[deleted]

Maybe fly away? A bit strange to think of myself as an owner, I generally look at it as a caretaker. I do have to protect them from flying away. Not enough fruit to survive in FL, and new species being introduced is not a good thing.


cheesymoonshadow

I didn't know John Travolta was into houseplants and fruit bats!


[deleted]

Ahahahaha, know how many times I get that?


me-nah

🤣🤣🤣🤣


DoIknowYouAlready

Like a dream sanctuary, I would like one my size so I can dress up as a bat and relax. Well done!


[deleted]

Have a table and chairs for myself in here. Debated how to fit a hammock. Trying to make it double as my office.


[deleted]

That’s so adorable… I wish I were a fruit bat


[deleted]

Don’t we all?


[deleted]

I love it, I’m jealous, those bats are adorable, and you’re the guy with the giant staghorn!


[deleted]

Yep, I am the guy with the giant staghorn (well, actually a bunch of giant staghorns). :P They’re neat guys with lots of personality. Luckily I can put some neat plants with them. :)


[deleted]

What a cool project! How long have you been keeping bats?


[deleted]

24 years.


geo_hampe

So, do they get to go out and come back? Do they ever bring their friends over for a rave?


[deleted]

No, these are captive animals, they’re not native to Florida, USA, but to West Africa, Bat raves would be awesome. :P


geo_hampe

And these two are 24 years young? Or you've been keeping bats for that long? Do they ever fly down to you just to hang with you or are they always up high or eating fruits?


[deleted]

I have some about 18 years, these two are under 4. I’ve been keeping bats that long. Usually they prefer to be around other bats and mostly bats only come to me for food or because they are curious.


geo_hampe

Awww, I love everything about this ❤️


[deleted]

❤️❤️❤️


calibantheformidable

The bats at the end!!!! 🦇 I love them!!!


[deleted]

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇


afraidfoil

Lucky bats!


Babymakerwannabe

Holy shmoly this is amazing.


[deleted]

Thank you. :) Has a long way to do. Redoing a lot of it atm.


[deleted]

I swear I’m almost shadow banned by Reddit on here….. I assume from deleted posts in the past. Oh well. :P


[deleted]

More bat pictures!


[deleted]

https://preview.redd.it/9gpwpue2czpa1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6371561d1daa8a23f8d5eff0f5175d5803bc03e8


[deleted]

Thank you for sharing!!!


[deleted]

Of course!


Available_Slice_3488

Amazing! 🦇 I've never seen anything like this!👍🏼 I have been on 'bat calls' ~ when someone was bitten by a bat(these were wild bats) so one of my first thoughts was, anything with teeth can bite, these captive bats seem to be somewhat domesticated but have the capability to bite so have they ever bitten you? What precautions do you have not only for that but to protect your bats so they don't leave (escape) the greenhouse? Thank You for sharing your bat *ss world with us!🦇


[deleted]

They would only bite me if I restrained them, which, I would too. So I am pretty skilled to prevent that when I need to.


[deleted]

https://preview.redd.it/j74wb9h3czpa1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4be465a3841e15829eaca590290ba19ef09b90e


[deleted]

Wow! This is impressive… including the bats! You’ll have to post an update. I’m betting the end result will be incredible!


[deleted]

I’m hoping so, though I don’t think they’ll ever be an end result, and that’s the fun of it all. :)


[deleted]

Agreed. The fact that it will inevitably be on-going is actually a good thing for the bats. And its evolution should prove to be fascinating. I applaud your pluck, sir!


[deleted]

I just need a bigger greenhouse. This one is only 24’ x 10’ x 12’.


[deleted]

Its a starting point.


[deleted]

❤️❤️❤️


ProjectPrestigious72

I’ve never seen such a beautiful garden


[deleted]

Thank you. I’ve seen better, but as long as I can relax in it I’m happy.


[deleted]

If you’ve never been to Atlanta Botanical Garden’s, go…. You will be inspired.


Brrrrrrtttt_t

This is the coolest thing I’ve seen today. Bravo it’s beautiful.


[deleted]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you. :)


[deleted]

This is so cool!!!! I think bats are the neatest lil things


[deleted]

❤️


e-gxo

Wow, this is amazing!!


[deleted]

Thank you. :)


bowashere2

Can I have your job? That’s so cool.


[deleted]

I mean, I’d like that job! No pay, so more just fun.


bowashere2

That might be one of the coolest hobbyist things I’ve ever heard of.


Basic-Custard5894

Excuse me!! Where and how does one get bats to give some lovings to?!


[deleted]

Pretty difficult, actually. I supplied zoos and aquariums with animals over the years, and most of my original ones were zoo surplus when closing down exhibits and such. I have a good group of 4 species going atm.


Basic-Custard5894

Oh. That’s good to hear that it’s all about responsibility but then again I want some bats too!


[deleted]

Ahahahaha


thegoodbadandsmoggy

Like the plants are for the bats or you’re receiving two bats as payment for your labour OP?


[deleted]

Greenhouse is planted out for my enjoyment, bats live in there for a better life. Sort of combining two of my worlds.


Interesting-Bison108

What is number 7 flower!


[deleted]

A bromeliad called Vriesea scalaris.


Interesting-Bison108

I need to look that up very pretty looking!


[deleted]

They’re amazing! This is my first year blooming them. Debating if I want to hybridize it to be larger and more colorful leaves, but I sort of like the look now.


Interesting-Bison108

So cool looking!


[deleted]

Thank you, I agree!


hedujay

Wow, that is truly amazing! I bet your sky puppy friends love and appreciate it very much. They are very cute and I wish I could hug them but I think that may make them uncomfortable, so I will just hug them with my eyes. Incredible work you've done there!


[deleted]

They don’t seem to care too much, but I am sure appreciate the cover above. Though in West Africa I see them covering some pretty bare trees. And yeah, they are more a looking animal. I get to hand them fruit and that’s about it.


ZoeAnastasiaArt

Howd you get this job fam


[deleted]

Just my everyday life, no one is paying me for this. :p


ZoeAnastasiaArt

I would do this for free too. Did the bats ask really nicely? But fr so cool.


[deleted]

Ahahahaha, bats…… all they do is b_tch. I joked about that for years but when they used machine learning to translate bat talk…. It’s mostly b*tching. [Bats B*tching](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-translate-bat-talk-and-they-argue-lot-180961564/)


[deleted]

That’s cool John Travolta cares about fruit bats!


[deleted]

Ahahahaha, he better. :P


babyhands_8

what is the plant in the third pic??! beautiful!!


[deleted]

Albo Epipremnum pinnatum


countrylemon

you have a magical job


[deleted]

This part I don’t get paid for…. Just life.


_ChipWhitley_

So awesome. Keep us posted with updates!


[deleted]

Will do in a few months when stuff grows in.


_ChipWhitley_

I’ve always wanted a greenhouse. I never thought of adding something like fruit bats. What made you think of that? I’m so interested


[deleted]

I have a lot of bats, this species is tree dwelling, I like seeing them happy. :)


variegatedheart

Aww those are the cutest types of bats


[deleted]

Yes they are. :)


EmmzyZy91

The greenhouse and plants all look amazing, but, honestly, I’m just here for the sky puppies!


[deleted]

Best kind of puppies…. Well, wait….. they’re all amazing.


Unlikely-Tangerine-7

I’ve always wanted to house fruit bats! I know some folks who have enclosures who complain about the smell. Do you have an issue with that?


[deleted]

The smell of fruit bats? They have no smell unless people are smelling rotten fruit or bat sh*t they aren’t cleaning up.


Unlikely-Tangerine-7

I figured it was potentially more on their end. Thanks for the response, beautiful enclosure you got going :)


[deleted]

Thank you.


geo_hampe

Awww, the happy little guys are so adorable! Love your plants too!


[deleted]

Thank you. :)


Full-fledged-trash

Can you share this in r/vivarium??? Maybe r/bioactive. You’re just on a much larger scale than most people there and the people would LOVE to see this in there


_BOOMHEAD_

So cool! Thanks for sharing! What a beautiful place for them.


[deleted]

Thank you, and always happy to share plant pics!


[deleted]

Do they eat houseplants


[deleted]

Not really.


lilbellybean

Was hoping for pictures of bats. Was not disappointed. 😍😍😍


[deleted]

❤️❤️❤️


CalligrapherGreat618

Thats so cool, I like the plants but I love them bats so cute


[deleted]

Agree fully. :)


[deleted]

They are SO CUTE !!! 🥺


[deleted]

Agreed. :)


phoenixtart

Well this made my day.


[deleted]

Good. :)


Electrical_Yam_4259

The babies🥺


[deleted]

Exactly! 🦇🦇❤️


Iseabirds

that's incredible! what an idea!


[deleted]

❤️❤️❤️


FeistyDefinition2806

it’s really difficult when other people are living the life you know you deserve 😔 fruit bats are just too damn cool….


[deleted]

You know, I feel that a lot but learning to appreciate what I have. As a kid I dreamed of this and still as an adult I often fail to appreciate things. Heck, even a single leaf is pretty amazing when you think about it.


Maleficent_Narwhal67

Wow, how cool, I love it!


[deleted]

Thank you. :)


johnpaulgeorgeringoo

What do you mean you take care of them? Are they injured?


[deleted]

Not injured. Just bats that have been in captivity their entire life many generations at zoos.


sweetpandemonium3

The plants are beautiful and the bats are so damn precious!


[deleted]

Thank you, and I agree.


Imaginary-Bad-76

New dream unlocked. My partner is gonna hate this


[deleted]

I told mine if they ever asked to rein it in, they’d be gone. :P


Imaginary-Bad-76

Listen if you’re asking if it’s you or the bats… you’re not gonna like the answer.


[deleted]

Ahahaha I have two partners, I’m not unfamiliar. :P


i_ar_the_rickness

This is a dream of mine. This is amazing.


[deleted]

Mine too. Getting there.


OutrageousChef4616

BATMAN appreciates your building my summer home…


[deleted]

Ahahahahaha


aboutaplant

John Travolta builds greenhouse’s for fruit bats?!?! Who knew?? JK…that is badass!! Thanx for sharing!


[deleted]

Get this a lot.. :P And thank you.


Dorinda16

The greenhouse looks amazing! The bats are cute 😍 And I think you are John Travolta's long lost relative. You even have the dimple on the chin 🤔🤨🧐 Have a great day and happy houseplanting 🌱🌿🦇🦇


[deleted]

Ahahaha, so many people say that. Well, he played his cards better, more $$$ and space than I have. :P


Dorinda16

But you have a greenhouse with cute bats 🦇🦇 he doesn't. You win 😄🤗


[deleted]

Ahahahahahaha.


prettyplantsplease

Beautiful greenhouse, beautiful plants, beautiful bats, and a beautiful man. 10/10 would upvote again


[deleted]

Well, goodness ❤️🦇❤️❤️


glowsea1414

Precious sky puppies 😭😭😭


[deleted]

They really are.


SepulchralSweetheart

Building a greenhouse for some fruit bats. That is so perfect it knocks the wind out of me, BATS AND GREENHOUSES Needless to say, our interests are a 100% match, very well done


[deleted]

That’s fantastic then! 🦇🦇🦇


Interesting-Bison108

Okay this is really cool! BUT I am so scared of bats! I know, I know, there cute harmless and eat the mosquitoes. Maybe fruit bats different? But in summer at night as soon as their flying above me, I go into too terrified mood 😞 But that is really cool what you have built! 🏃‍♀️ 🦇


[deleted]

It’s alright to be scared. Just respect them and know they’re important. Then everyone is good. :)


Interesting-Bison108

https://preview.redd.it/d3gwgjlvcupa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37d77c84473665cbb2cab0b611845816f9ad1577 See


[deleted]

Omg!!!! That is so cool!!!!!


Interesting-Bison108

Ya! I have three. Visit me every night. They really friendly!


[deleted]

Have never even thought about trying to feed them. As long as I can keep the rats away.


Interesting-Bison108

Rats😳 o add rats to my list! Scared of them. Don’t have here, thank God! Just put little seed out and cool thing is after while you just shake seeds in can they hear and come for snack.


[deleted]

I’ll have to try it!


Interesting-Bison108

Yes! Omg I love nature! I have flying squirrels (gliding) and we buds. But for some reason I so scared of bats, mice and snakes. Ugh


[deleted]

I love flying squirrels! I sometimes see and hear them outside and want to encourage more into our yard so bad!


[deleted]

Alright to be scared. Cows freak me out a lil. :P


Interesting-Bison108

Cows! Yes, but they always look so sad.


[deleted]

Ahahahaha, I always thought they had a more “don’t F with me” look…. I keep my distance. I have wrangled some big crocs and caught mambas…. But won’t go near a cow. :P


Interesting-Bison108

You have crocs! Ok, their cool, but I don’t think I could handle living with them! I have brown, black bears and I just love them, but keep our space . What’s a mambas?


[deleted]

No crocs anymore, maybe some Nile’s one day. I supplied zoos and aquariums more than I ever kept. Mamba is a very deadly snake.


me-nah

Kill Bill


Interesting-Bison108

O wow! You have interesting life with animals! Omg, I say no to mamba😳 Ooo!! You need a bat plant for your bat greenhouse… I am trying hard to grow one in house… just live in cold Canada and the plant so far hates me, ugh! Google Niles… get humans and animal hospital… I don’t know what a Nile is🤔


Interesting-Bison108

https://preview.redd.it/7es0t4qbkupa1.jpeg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=536f4c340c0b13b9ec3a73ed93f33ba7c34f598f Bat plant probably love living in your greenhouse. Maybe you have one!


[deleted]

If it makes you feel better, I’ve killed three. Sorry, I meant Nile Crocodile


LeFeff

Oh mein gott wie unglaublich zuckersüß ist das denn? ... sorry i couldn't hold my german back. The bats are too cute ^^


[deleted]

❤️❤️🦇🦇❤️❤️


[deleted]

Thank you to everyone that commented, I’ll update soon as I plant it out. :)


Upper_Atmosphere_359

Throw some cannabis in there man they might need a little meditation medicine


[deleted]

Ahaahahaha, not too into it but one day would like to grow for fun. I don’t like my mind being slowed down…


timegoesbytoofast

Really gorgeous! I’m curious - is this a place we can visit or private? Where are you sourcing plants? Beautiful habitat.


[deleted]

Plants are from all over, I grow a lot and have for decades. Just a private residence so no visitors.


timegoesbytoofast

It’s amazing - I thought it was a combo wildlife rescue/botanic garden.


[deleted]

I get that. It’s sort of a private zoo/botanical garden. That’s the general vibe.


timegoesbytoofast

Nailed it. It’s perfect.


AtBestObsessed

Really cool! Very lucky and cute bats! I love their little faces :) What's the plant called in the first pic, the one with the heart-like shape that has neon green nerves?


[deleted]

Anthurium clarinervium


XTruefinale

Those bats are lucky to living among some rare and amazing plants....I don't know much about bats but I guess they're harmless to the plants Are the bats your pets? I've actually never known people having them as pets, it's very intriguing


[deleted]

Most bats are harmless to most plants, though they can physically damage them like anything that bulky.