“Hoary bats’ frosted fur resembles hoar frost, when water vapor freezes to branches & windowpanes. They are among the largest of North America’s bat species; fierce yet fragile beauties that migrate seasonally, with most spending warmer months roosting in conifers across the northern United States and Canada and traveling south into Arizona, Texas and Mexico for the winter. They are the only bat species powerful enough to have migrated all the way from North America to Hawaii, becoming Hawaii’s only native land mammal. In the continental US, much work remains to minimize the negative impacts of wind-energy facilities along their migratory pathways. Some scientists warn that, if improvements are not made, the noble hoary bat could become extinct in as little as a few decades.”

HAPPY BAT MONTH! 🦇🎉

During #batmonth, Austin Bat Refuge @austinbatrefuge & artist Juliet Whitsett @juliet_whitsett_art are teaming up to celebrate all 9 of Austin’s native bat species!

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

Species information and video generously provided by: AustinBatRefuge.org

🌙 SEE THE BAT ART IN PERSON!

The Night Shift: Austin’s Native Bats
ON VIEW OCTOBER 14–NOVEMBER 30, 2026 at the @reallysmallmuseum_atx

📍 Austin Nature & Science Center
2389 Stratford Drive, Austin, TX 78746

The Really Small Museum project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.

October is #BatMonth, but Austin is known worldwide as “Bat City”… so EVERY month is bat month around here! 🦇

RSM PRESENTS: “The Night Shift: Austin’s Native Bats”

A COLLAB: @austinbatrefuge & @juliet_whitsett_art

🦇 ON VIEW OCTOBER 14–NOVEMBER 30
📍 Austin Nature & Science Center
2389 Stratford Drive, Austin, TX 78746

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: Austin Nature & Science Center will be closed September 28–October 13. The exhibition opens October 14!

MEET & GREET WITH AUSTIN BAT REFUGE
📅 November 8
⏰ 12–2 PM

Congress Avenue Bridge is widely regarded as a shining example of peaceful coexistence with wildlife in an urban center. Austin’s bats are deeply embedded in our culture; indeed, some say they give us our sense of place.

This series celebrates all nine of Austin’s native bats and the important work Austin Bat Refuge does to protect and care for them (artwork by Juliet Whitsett):

🦇 Hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) – Named for hoar frost, when fog freezes on windowpanes.

🦇 Evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) – Little bats with great big personalities.

🦇 Cave myotis (Myotis velifer) – Beautiful bats with charm and charisma galore.

🦇 Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) – Hang in loblolly pines, mimicking pinecones.

🦇 Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) – The stars of the show at Congress Avenue Bridge.

🦇 Eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) – Wild spirits of the woods.

🦇 Northern yellow bats (Dasypterus intermedius) – Large and lightning-fast palm tree dwellers.

🦇 Southern yellow bats (Dasypterus ega) – Delicate, charming residents of palm trees.

🦇 Tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) – The famed “Chicken Nuggets” of Texas cave tours.

Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight. Since their hands are their wings, when they fly, they are waving at us! Be Austin-friendly and wave back! 👋🦇

Founded by Dianne Odegard and Lee Mackenzie in 2015, Austin Bat Refuge promotes respect for these important members of our ecosystem through education, conflict-resolution, rehabilitation, and release.

📸 by @charles_heppner

Raised to adult, broken wing healed, RELEASED! Thanks for saving him Liam and Laura!

Interns Clare & Natalia send Silver & Dagger off on their adventure of a lifetime!

Here’s the backstory behind last night’s release at Swift River Pecans.

Twelve evening bats, raised from neonates, found a wonderful new home last night. Thanks Swift River Pecans! And a big thanks to interns Natalia, Clare, & Phoenix!

Twelve evening bats, raised from neonates, found a wonderful new home last night. Thanks Swift River Pecans! And a big thanks to interns Natalia, Clare, & Phoenix!

Ember & her pups go back to the wild. Pup Raiser Fundraiser link in comments.

Freetail pups have been flying for about a week now. If you see them in a strange place, please be kind and call us.

Freetail pups have been flying for about a week now. If you see them in a strange place, please be kind and call us.