There are 31 of the 45 known species of bat found in the U.S. that make their home (for at least part of each year) here in Texas. The Mexican free-tailed is the most numerous. They migrate from central Mexico every spring and return in the fall. Bats pose little threat to humans and are highly beneficial gobbling up billions of insects each summer night.

Just to mention a short list of facts, bats are not blind, are not related to birds just because they can fly, do not all have rabies, do not all suck blood, get tangled in people’s hair, nor do they all live in caves. They are not flying mice, and if it is the truth we seek, are more related to men than mice.

You may soon encounter a bat in places where you don't want a bat. It may fall to the ground for either of two reasons. Sometimes a mother has more than her usual two babies clinging to her chest at weaning time. In order to gain flight she must fall a certain distance from a roosting place such as a tree or building to take off. The extra weight might force her to the ground. If left alone she will crawl to the nearest climbable object to try again. The other reason for being on the ground is that the bat may be sick. In either case call Animal Services and they will see that the animal is safely removed.

And on something entirely different, if you are concerned about the big exotic cat dilemma watch my show, ‘Animals, Animals’ this M-F, AT&T Broadband, channel A14, at 11:30 a.m.

Contact: Jim Dunlap, jdunlap@pisd.edu

Holifield Science Learning Center,