Bats Are Featured in MDC’s October Lecture

Native Bats will be the focus of Marine Discovery Center’s October Discovery Lecture Series.

Ariel Horner (pictured below), a board member of the Florida Bat Conservancy, will be the guest presenter on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., in MDC’s Learning Lab.

If you have ever wondered what role bats play in the everyday lives of humans, this presentation will help guests become more informed about the importance of bats in our ecosystem, as well as their diets and habitats.

Guests at the presentation also will have an opportunity to see live bats up close and to ask questions about these nocturnal mammals often seen flitting in the night sky.

In addition, bat houses will be on display at the presentation. Specially designed bat houses allow bats to colonize, which helps control insect population in the surrounding area. Bats are insect eaters and small bats can devour up to 1,000 or more insects in a single hour.

MDC’s Discovery Lecture Series occurs on the first Thursday of each month unless otherwise indicated. The lectures are open to the public at no charge, but donations to the center are always appreciated. Pre-registration is required and may be done online or by phone at 386.428.4828.