Bracken Bat Cave in Texas Home to 20 Million Bug-Eating Bats

Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Featured on Episode 3 of the 2009-2010 season

In Hollywood movies, bats are often portrayed as scary creatures. But in real life, they can be worth their weight in gold. And there's no other place they're more appreciated than central Texas. Reynolds Wolf takes us to Bracken Bat Cave, just south of Austin, Texas. There, bat expert Fran Hutchins explains how the 20 million Mexican Free-tailed bats that live in the cave do their part by eating nearly 250 tons of bugs every night.

Additional Information

Bat Conservation International
More on Free-tailed Bats from National Geographic Kids
Animal Fact Sheet-Freetail Bat
Excellent video for kids about bats from Brian Brawdy of Bat Conservation Internation

Lesson Plan

Bat Lessons, Activities, Handouts for all grades.

Grades: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Subjects: Science

Download the lesson plan PDF

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