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Bats shouldn't be feared, rather appreciated

Scientists say April is the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are now beginning to emerge from hibernation.

SAN ANGELO, TX —

Each year on April 17, nature enthusiasts nationwide head out into darkness to see one of nature’s arguably most feared creatures, bats.

Scientists say April is the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are now beginning to emerge from hibernation. National Bat Appreciation Day is also an excellent time to learn about the role bats play in nature.

Angelo State University graduate student, Roxanne Pourshoushtari is working towards her Master's degree in Biology. Her current work is focused on the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat, an important migratory pollinator.

“People say they’re flying rodents,” jokes Pourshoushtari, “but really, we are more rodents than they are.”

There are 29 different species that live in our area and four different families. Pourshoushtari says that bats play a vital role in our state and shouldn't be feared. She says that the help cross-pollinate species and therefore create genetic diversity. And, that’s a good thing. However, fearing their existence shouldn’t be a concern.

“There’s a common misconception that bats are diseased ridden, but they are nocturnal animals,” says Pourshoushtari, “and when people encounter them during the day and a bat out in the day is a sick bat.”

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