To the Bat Cave! An Immersive Study of Caves and Bats (By Audrey Dwyer, Chemistry and Environmental Science Instructor)

Did you know that the largest population of mammals in the entire world is just one hour south of Austin? Our Natural Texas class students do! This science elective class is currently immersed in the study of caves and bats. Austin is fortunate to be located in a very species rich environment for bats and karst land (landscape underlain by limestone that has been eroded by dissolution, producing ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes, and other characteristic landforms).
Through many hands-on simulations, these environmental students are getting their hands dirty with mysterious powder and black light to simulate the spread of White-Nose Bat Syndrome (which is a fast spreading fungus causing mass mortality of millions of bats in North America), learning how to read Dichotomous Keys to identify different bat species, using math to calculate the economic value of bats, understanding echolocation through games, and researching caves and bats in a ‘flipped classroom.’ In addition, the students in Ms. Dwyer's class toured Natural Bridge Caverns to see the spectacular calcite formations of stalagmite, stalactite, soda straws, draperies, and columns. Our limestone in central Texas is the perfect recipe for cave formation and Texas is home to more than 3,000 caves, sink holes, and springs.

Bats are one of the most misunderstood animals. Here are some fun bat facts! 
  • Bats are mammals.
  • The largest colony of bats in the world is at Bracken Cave, TX with over 20 million Mexican Free-Tail Bats.
  • There are 1116 different species of bats.
  • Bats make up 21% of the total species of mammals.
  • Only 3 out of 1116 bat species feed on blood, and they are all in Latin America.
  • Less than 1% of bats have rabies.
  • Bats are known as "farmers of the tropics" due to their seed dispersal.
  • Bats are a huge economic value for farmers due to the insects consumed, saving $3.7 billion - $22.9 billion for pest control management in North America.
  • In just one night, the Mexican Free-Tail Bats alone eat 2,000,000 pounds of insects.
  • Female bats can pause their pregnancy for a better time, if need be.
  • Female bats can swap out sperm if there is a better mate.
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