There are 32 species of
bats in Texas, most of which are insectivorous (insect eating). Five bats in Texas are
candidates for listing as Threatened or Endangered by Texas or the US Department of Fish
and Wildlife. These species include the southern yellow bat, the western yellow bat,
Rafinesque's big eared bat, the spotted bat and the Mexican long-nosed bat. Eight species
are listed as C2, a former category used to identify species at potential risk. These
include the big free-tailed bat, the Western mastiff bat, the Mexican long-tongued bat,
the South-eastern Myotis, the small-footed Myotis, the Long-legged Myotis, the Yuma Myotis
and the Cave Myotis.
Texas bat populations are deteriorating
primarily due to humans who fear (see Myths and Facts)
or by indirect human activity such as a loss of habitat from
land development. Loss of habitat has forced bats to look for
alternate roosting sites which sometimes include human structures. Bat colonies that roost
in buildings are sometimes destroyed during attempts to
remove them. However, alternate and humane methods exist to
evict bats (see
Bat Problems).
Education is the most important key we have
in fighting ignorance and promoting the conservation of bats. Bat World
Lone Star is dedicated to saving bats through educational programs and by providing rescue in the
north Texas area. Thousands of bats are rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the wild
every year through the Bat World organization. Donations and memberships help this nonprofit organization
to survive.
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