Huge flying fox found hanging from toilet — as snake also slithers into a loo in Sydney

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Bob the bat was found hanging from a Family's toilet after getting into a house0:47

Bob the bat was rescued when he was found hanging from a family toilet on the northern beaches. CREDIT: Youtube/L.L. Wynn

• April 11th 2017
• 8 hours ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/News/

Bat found hanging from a toilet on the northern beaches

A FRUIT bat has totally baffled a Fairlight family when it was found hanging from their toilet on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The Zanchetta family hid in their bedrooms after the creature, also known as a flying fox, appeared in their house.

And as they waited for a wildlife expert to come and rescue the creature, it clattered around the house before settling itself on the loo.

Yikes! The bat attached to the toilet seat. Picture: Lisa Wynn.Source:The Daily Telegraph

Student Adriana Zanchetta, 23 said she thought they had a rat inside when she heard a noise outside her bedroom door, and went to investigate.

But when she shouted to her brother Aaron, 21 for help, she said the creature flew towards him, and they realised it was a bat — and fled to their separate bedrooms.

Parents Andrew, and Amanda, 50, and other sister Anneliese, 18, also stayed in the bedrooms of their Fairlight home — and the family texted each other after calling for help from a wildlife charity.

The flying fox is now being cared for and will be released. Picture: Rigel InglisSource:Supplied

Andrew and Amanda Zanchetta and daughters Andriana 23 and Anneliese 18 were shocked when a bat was rescued from their toilet Picture: Adam WardSource:News Corp Australia

And when Lisa Wynn from Sydney Wildlife arrived, she found the creature hanging from the toilet sear.

Mrs Wynn, from Eastwood, said it’s the most unusual rescue she’s done.

“Once they get on the ground, they can’t fly. These people have the cleanest, most beautiful minimalist house so there was nothing for it to climb up so it crawled down the hallway and the toilet was the only thing he could climb,” she said.

“They said ‘it’s down there, maybe in the bathroom’ and there it was hanging on the toilet,”

Adriana, said: “We just thought it was the most random thing. We thought it would maybe be in the corner. It’s the strangest thing ever.”

Bob on route to rescue after being found in a northern beaches bathroom. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Mrs Zanchetta said: ‘We couldn't believe it.”

The confused creature, named Bob, was given some apple juice and while uninjured he’s under observation with another carer before being released.

The family is still clueless about how he ended up inside — and say the only way it could have got in was through the dog door.

Bob the bathroom bat having some refreshments after his ordeal Picture: Rigel InglisSource:Supplied

Mrs Wynn said anybody who finds a bat shouldn't go near it, as while people can be vaccinated for lyssavirus which bats can carry, the animal would be put to sleep if it bit or scratched contact a human.

Bob’s not the only creature found in a northern beaches toilet last week.

A tree snake — christened Loo-loo slithered into the pedestal of a lavatory in Bilgolah Plateau.

The family cat had spotted the green tree snake under the kitchen fridge — and it was in hot pursuit when it made a dash for it.

The snake found hidden inside a toilet- and christened ‘Loo-Loo’. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

It caught its tail with its claws before it disappeared — into the toilet through a tiny hole in the back.

Wildlife rescuer Lynleigh Greig from Elanora Heights, went to the rescue.

“I put my phone up against the hole and took a photo, and there she was, but I couldn’t get my fingers in,” she said.

The green tree snake is harmless but hid in the loo. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

She fashioned an escape tube from part of a vacuum cleaner and gaffer tape, and the snake eventually slithered out.

Mrs Greig said it’s not unusual to find snakes in toilets as often they’re chasing prey such as frogs who might head there.

“One of our other rescuers found a snake in St Ives in somebody’s bed — on an electric blanket,” she said.

If you need the help of animal rescue, call Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300, or Wires on 1300 094 737.

Originally published as Family’s batty encounter with flying fox