More than 1,100 species of bats have been discovered worldwide. Texas is home to 33 species of bats. Greater Houston is home to 11 bat species.
[Ads /]
Luckily, all bat species that live in Houston are insect-eaters.
Bats are not blind. They have average vision, excellent hearing, and echolocation. They find their insect prey using echolocation, which is the use of ultra-high frequency sounds.
Contrary to popular belief, because they can sense objects in front of them so well, they do not get tangled in people's hair.
[Ads /]
Bats are important for pest control since they eat insects and pests. Here in Houston, the estimated 100 million Mexican free-tailed bats at Waugh Drive could consume almost 2.5 tons of insects a night.
Bat Conservation International says that less than 1 percent of a bat population may contract rabies. However, you still do not want to touch a bat as it may bite in self-defense.
For more information visit Houston's Park and Recreation.
Report a typo to the ABC13 staff