The once terrifying flying mammals whose popularity has been soaring in recent years are again on their northerly flight paths from Central America and Mexico across Texas as the weather warms. Of the five human deaths in Texas due to rabies since 1990, three are attributed to infected bats. Most bats eat large numbers of insects, making them a help in controlling pests that may carry diseases or devastate plants.
Some bat species eat fruit, nectar, pollen, smaller bats, birds and fish.
In recent years, giant colonies of bats have become popular tourist attractions, as people gather on spring and summer evenings to watch the bat masses take flight from caves, rocks and even city bridges. Cuddly stuffed animals in the shape of bats are now companions for children. And the image of a bat has even been translated into a mascot for a sports team. If someone finds an injured, sick or dead bat, I cannot stress enough that the person should not touch it. The bat could have rabies.