As the setting sun turns the sky from a bold blue into a
fiery-orange inferno, echoing the colors of Gator pride, hundreds of visitors
gather to peer into the evening air. The
chirping sounds emanating from the UF Bat Barn and Bat House complex grow
louder and on-lookers’ anticipation increases. This “colony chatter”, a
sophisticated form of interaction between members of the group, fills the
twilight.
Located on the north side of Museum Road by Lake Alice, the
structures on UF’s campus are home to the world’s largest population of bats to
be found under one roof. Campus is
widely known for its resident alligators, but should also gain fame for its
impressive bat population. The estimated
400,000 occupants of the UF Bat Houses consume several billion insects
nightly. Their enormous contribution to
natural pest control makes them invaluable resources in our swampy habitat of
Gainesville.
The bat house experience is a must-do on the Gainesville
bucket list. It has become a ritual for
many UF students and creates a welcome reprieve from the normality of daily
life. Children and adults of all ages
marvel at the sight of the evening emergence.
The spectacle is a popular attraction year-round, but the opportunity to
get close to these incredible creatures is appropriately festive during this
time of year.
Bats have become the unofficial mascot for the Halloween
holiday, gracing everything from decorations to cupcakes. Often misunderstood,
bats have become associated with darkness and fright for reasons that are
unclear. Have no fear, though, the bats
living on campus are not of the Vampire variety. They will not suck your blood…but do beware
of falling guano.
Each evening, in the fading light, a few brave souls will
emerge first, spiraling through the air and into the surrounding
landscape. Then, after the sun sets, a
colossal cloud of bats pours out all at once.
As the bats perform their phenomenal exodus in one large mass, one is
reminded of the quintessential Gator motto, “in all kinds of weather, we all
stick together.”
For more information, visit: https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/index.php/bats/home/
I did not know that! That is very interesting and 'festive' for Halloween last night. Next year, I will 100% go and check out/see the UF Bat Houses.
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