As I’ve mentioned before, about 300,000 Mexican-free tailed bats live around Waugh Drive bridge. However, sometimes colder Houston temperatures can endanger the bats’ health. So, what happens to the bats during freezing temperatures?
Let’s find out.
The Bats In Cold Weather
The bats usually seek the bridge as their shelter, planting their feet on the underside of the bridge. However, during cold weather the bats can suffer because they don’t have thermal insulation. They can survive normal Houston winters, but when temperatures drop below 30s, they can become hypothermic and lose consciousness.
Rescuing The Bats
About 2,500 bats were rescued during the winter freeze last week and taken to the Humane Society Wildlife Center’s Hospital. During their stay, they are warmed up and then kept in a cold space to regulate their metabolism. The cold weather can stun the bats and cause them to fall from the bridge. Some of the bats taken in had head injuries as a result. The bats are also injected with fluids to keep them hydrated. On Sunday, the bats were released back to their home at the bridge.
On warm winter nights, the bats fly out from the bridge at sunset. Here’s how you can view them.
