Bats are spooky by nature.
They hang upside down. They’re nocturnal. And they sometimes resemble flying, dive-bombing mice.
All of this can be off-putting to the squeamish among us.
But as the only flying mammal, bats are unique and useful. Curious kids and parents can learn about these mysterious creatures today during the “Hanging Out With Bats” program presented by Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
“Bats get a bad rap,” says Larry Colbenson, natural history program coordinator for Boulder County Parks and Open Space. “We’d like to try to dispel some of the myths.”
Some myths are based on partial truths. Bats don’t change into human vampires, for instance, but blood-drinking vampire bats do exist.
“You don’t find vampire bats in North America,” Colbenson says. “The bats we have around here are insectivorous and are actually very beneficial, natural mosquito control.”
What about the horror-movie image of bats tangling themselves in the shrieking woman’s hair? “Of course that doesn’t really happen,” Colbenson says.
Not everyone is afraid of bats. Some people go so far as to build dwellings for them. Colbenson says these bat boxes are a “very bat-specific design,” created to accommodate the bats’ nighttime activities and hanging perches. “Most people use them for insect control,” he adds.
Today’s program is designed to give preschool through elementary-age kids a chance to get more familiar with bats. Simple props will include a real bat skeleton and a slide show featuring different types of bats in their natural habitats. “There are at least eight or 10 different species that are found just along the Front Range area,” Colbenson says.
Kids can also participate in a build-a-bat art project and a few bat-themed outdoor activities.
“We’re trying to encourage kids to get outside and learn about the natural world,” Colbenson says. “We’re pretty fortunate here in Boulder County because there are lots of opportunities to explore.”
“Hanging Out With Bats”
When: Today from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Foothills Nature Center, 4201 N. Broadway, Boulder
Details: No reservations are necessary for this free program. Contact Boulder County Parks and Open Space at 303-678-6200 for more information.
