Bringing Bats into the United States

A big-eared townsend bat. Photo courtesy Nevada Bureau of Land Management.
Certain animals, such as bats, insects and snails, are known to carry zoonotic diseases. Bats are known to carry rabies and histoplasmosis. Importing such animals for any reason requires permits from CDC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceExternal
Etiological agents, hosts, or vectors of human disease, including microorganisms, insects, biological materials, tissue, certain live animals (e.g., live bats), and animal products may require a CDC permit for importation or transfer within the United States. CDC’s Office of Health and Safety administers these regulations: