While humans may flock to Fort Worth Botanic Garden during daylight hours, it turns out our nocturnal neighbors have made it their favorite hangout spot too! Recent acoustic monitoring has revealed that FWBG is the hottest bat destination in Tarrant and Parker Counties, hosting a five-star resort experience for these beneficial winged wonders.
Bat-anical Garden Takes the Crown
A collaborative study conducted by the Cross Timbers Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, the North American Bat Monitoring Program, and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (BRIT) discovered that five different bat species call the Garden home after dark—substantially more than other surveyed locations including the Nature Center & Wildlife Refuge, Tandy Hills Natural Area, and Mineral Wells State Park, which typically hosted just one or two species.
Meet the Night Shift
Using specialized acoustic eavesdropping equipment that captures the high-frequency gossip bats exchange while hunting, researchers confirmed these nocturnal residents:
- Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) – The social butterfly of the bat world
- Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) – The punctual one, always on time for dinner
- Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) – The fashionista with its tri-colored fur
Two additional VIP guests were spotted but need formal introductions:
- Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) – The redhead of the group
- Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) – Distinguished by its sophisticated salt-and-pepper look
Of special concern is our petite friend the Tricolored bat, who’s having a tough time with white-nose syndrome and is being considered for the U.S. endangered species list—essentially the bat equivalent of needing critical care.
These Bats Mean Business
Don’t let their cute faces fool you—bats are ecological powerhouses with impressive résumés. By night, they’re pest control specialists consuming thousands of insects each, saving farmers billions and sparing us extra mosquito bites during summer barbecues.
But wait, there’s more! These flying mammals are also master pollinators working the night shift. While bees clock out at sunset, bats clock in to pollinate over 500 plant species worldwide. Agave (hello, tequila lovers!), bananas, mangoes, and various cacti all send thank-you notes to bats for their pollination services. Here in Texas, plants like the century plant and organ pipe cactus have evolved into night owls themselves, producing bat-friendly features like after-hours blooming, intoxicating fragrances, and reinforced landing pads for their furry pollinators.
As if that weren’t enough, bats are also champion seed spreaders. A single colony’s guano works like nature’s fertilizer and seed delivery service, dispersing millions of seeds annually. Talk about multitasking!
Tough Times for Team Bat
“Despite their superhero status in the ecosystem, bats are facing some serious villains in habitat loss and disease,” noted Ashley Bales, Herbarium Collections Manager for BRIT who participated in the study. “Finding such a diverse bat community at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden proves that urban green spaces aren’t just fun places to visit—they’re lifelines for wildlife.”
Be a Bat Buddy
Want to roll out the welcome mat for these beneficial neighbors? FWBG suggests these bat-friendly home improvements:
- Plant a midnight snack bar with native night-blooming flowers
- Turn down those outdoor lights (bats prefer the moonlight)
- Skip the pesticides—let bats be your natural pest control
- Install a birdbath spa for thirsty visitors
- Set up a bat house (think of it as an eco-friendly B&B for bats)
For more information about the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanic Research Institute of Texas, visit www.fwbg.org.
