The Heard Has Gone Batty

It turns out that for every time you've wondered why on earth mosquitoes exist, one relevant answer was, well, bat food. Apparently, bats aren't all leather-winged bloodsuckers hell-bent on feasting on the necks of randy teenagers. As it turns out, in addition to being the world's only flying mammals, bats...

By Daniel Rodrigue

June 30, 2011

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It turns out that for every time you've wondered why on earth mosquitoes exist, one relevant answer was, well, bat food. Apparently, bats aren't all leather-winged bloodsuckers hell-bent on feasting on the necks of randy teenagers. As it turns out, in addition to being the world's only flying mammals, bats are actually nature's version of pesticide. This is the "official" Year of the Bat, and conservation groups the world over are out to cast bats in a new light in 2011, while highlighting their role in the ecosystem. And, just in time for the Year of the Bat, The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney is introducing their Denizens of Darkness: Bats to the Boogie Man exhibit. Visitors learn about bats and other creatures that are active at night through a self-guided exhibit featuring various stations explaining topics such as how these nocturnal creatures use sight, hearing and smell to help them do things like finding their way around in the dark of night and how they find munchies to eat. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for seniors and children from 3 to 12. Members and children younger than 3 are free. For more information call 972-562-5566 or visit heardmuseum.org.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 11. Continues through Sept. 11, 2011

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