“They’re lifelines for wildlife.”
Ashley Bales
Herbarium Collections Manager
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)
.…on urban green spaces like the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, which was recently identified as premier bat habitat in North Texas.
While humans flock to Fort Worth Botanic Garden during daylight hours, it turns out our nocturnal neighbors have made it their favorite hangout spot too.
The garden has essentially become a five-star resort for beneficial winged wonders, including bees, butterflies, and birds. But a collaborative study by the Cross Timbers Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, the North American Bat Monitoring Program, and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas revealed that FWBG hosts five different bat species after dark—substantially more than other surveyed locations, which typically accommodate just one or two species.
BRIT Herbarium Collections Manager Ashley Bales
“Finding such a diverse bat community at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden proves that urban green spaces aren’t just fun places to visit,” BRIT’s Ashley Bales said in a recent announcement.
Using specialized acoustic equipment that captures the high-frequency clicking sounds bats make while hunting, researchers confirmed the nocturnal residents: the Mexican free-tailed bat (the social butterfly of the bat world), the Evening bat (always punctual for dinner), and the Tricolored bat (the fashionista with tri-colored fur). Two other VIP guests—the Eastern red bat and the sophisticated Hoary bat with its salt-and-pepper look—were also “likely heard.”
Don’t let their cute faces fool you—these flying mammals are ecological powerhouses with impressive resumes.
By night, they’re pest control specialists consuming thousands of insects each, saving farmers billions and sparing us extra mosquito bites during summer barbecues. They’re also master pollinators working the night shift for over 500 plant species worldwide. Tequila lovers can thank bats for pollinating agave, while bananas, mangoes, and various cacti also send thank-you notes for their services, too.
Still, Bales said, “Despite their superhero status in the ecosystem, bats are facing some serious villains in habitat loss and disease.”
Want to help?
The FWBG has some tips to roll out the welcome mat for these beneficial neighbors. Think bat-friendly home improvements: plant a midnight snack bar with native night-blooming flowers, turn down outdoor lights (bats prefer moonlight), skip pesticides, install a birdbath spa for thirsty visitors, and set up a bat house (think of it as an eco-friendly B&B for bats).
To learn more about “Bats in the Garden” at the FWBG, you can go here.
For more of who said what about all things North Texas, check out Every Last Word.
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