WORTH THE DRIVE
Winged Wonders
Exploring Texas’ Bat Habitats
FUN FACTS f
Bats are part of the mammal order Chiroptera, which has more than 1,400
by Rachel Strickland
species making it the second largest and most diverse order of mammals after rodents. Bats are the only mammals that can fly — some can even go as fast as 100 miles per hour. f
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not actually blind but rely on echolocation – locating objects by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes reflected back to them – as their primary sense. Some bats use echolocation to hunt live prey, while others simply feed on fruit or nectar.
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Like most mammals, bats come in all shapes and sizes. The average bat’s wingspan is about 24 inches; the larg-
B
ats often get a bad rap because of their portrayal as spooky Halloween-time creatures and ties to their blood-sucking Transylvanian relative. But, in reality, bats are remarkable animals, serving as vital, unsung heroes of the ecosystem. As you plan your summer trips, be sure to add a visit to one of the many, awe-inspiring bat hideouts around Texas.
est can be as large as 5 feet, while the smallest are only 6 inches and the animal can fit in the palm of your hand. f
usually reside in groups. They are best known for their unique habit of sleeping upside down. This position is ad-
HEROES TO THE ECOSYSTEM Bats are essential to our environment because they pollinate flowers and disperse seeds. In fact, more than 300 types of fruit and plants depend entirely on bats. So, because of our flying friends, we have bananas, mangoes, avocados, and cacao. Plus, while these fruits and plants serve as sustenance for humans and animals, they're also important ingredients in more than 80 medications. Not only do bats help pollinate fruits and plants, they also eat tons of pesky insects, which has saved the farming industry billions in crop damage and pesticide costs. Plus, guano (bat poop) is helpful as a highly effective fertilizer. It's safe to say the world we live in today would not be the same without bats, which is why there are many laws protecting them.
WHERE TO HANG OUT WITH BATS Now that you know how incredible bats are, you might want to see one — or one million — in action. Fortunately, there are plenty of spots in Texas where you can do just that as the Lone Star State is home to thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats. This medium-sized bat migrated to the United States from Mexico and mainly eats insects, including moths, flies, wasps, and mosquitoes. They are typically visible from early spring through early fall. 38
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Bats are highly social animals that
vantageous as it facilitates a quicker and easier departure into flight, since bats are unable to gain momentum through running. Hanging upside down allows them to simply drop and swiftly take off. f
Several species of bats have been known to live more than 30 years, and the oldest on record is a venerable 41-year-old Siberian bat.
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Bats are gentle, nocturnal animals, feeding at night when it's cooler. Their diets differ depending on the species—some eat insects, fruit, or nectar, while others feed on the blood of wild animals such as cattle or horses. But don't worry — they rarely bite humans unless threatened.