Bracken Cave in Texas is one of the most spectacular natural sites I have ever seen! Bracken Cave is home to 20 million Bats! The Mexican Free-Tailed Bats that emerge from Bracken Cave eat tons of moths, wasps and other flying insects. These flying insects could ravage a crop in days if not for these fabulous flying creatures.
Bats are mammals
Bats are mammals. They nurse their young. They are furry and cute! But most of all they eat mosquitos!!! Yes, you want them in your yard. These smaller bats eat flying bugs while their larger relatives pollinate plants. They pollinate Agave Cacti! If not for them we would have no tequila!
I went with a group from ANCA – Association of Nature Center Administrators. It was so HOT in Texas. It had not rained in months. Huge drought! So, we got to Bracken Cave and it began to rain and rain and rain! We were huddled under a little tent like a bunch of bats! Then the sun came out, a rainbow appeared and the most spectacular emergence of bats I have ever seen (yes, I have seen many) began! It was like a tornado. A black swirling tornado coming out from the cave! There were snakes on the edge grabbing one here and there as the left their home.
You can tour Bracken cave too! My best recommendation is to go with Bat Conservation International. There are many reasons for that. One is that they are doing much research on bats and a new disease that is effecting their colonies. This is not a problem for humans – only BATS. It is killing huge numbers of bats. If you join Bat Conservation International you can go on a member night for only $10.00.
Here is a link about the white nose fungus being found in Texas. I hope you will visit these amazing bats if you are ever in or around Austin, Texas.
Bat Emergence from Bracken Cave 
Bats emerging from Bracken Cave 