We walked the 1.3 mile paved pathway that lead us to many native animals and plants. Not one of our smarter moved, the temperature was HOT. Could not wait until we got back into air-conditioning. Drank a diet coke and found sugar free ice-cream....so we cooled our outside body and our inner temp was also given a cool treat. Told ourselves, next time check the outside temperature first., and the altitude. Oh, well, live and learn, right?
Our evening was much better planned. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is well noted for its caves and its Bat Flight Program. Every evening in the summer , Mexican free-tailed bats exit Carlsbad Cavern in search of a smorgasbord of insects for dinner. It has been estimated that two million bats live in this cave. No cameras were allowed, but the sight of these bats single filed come out of the cave, swarm to make what looked like a cone and then take off for parts unknown for the nearly twenty thousands pounds of insects they consume per night....no wonder we are able to sit outside here at night without getting bit by mosquitoes. Nice!
The bat can consume insects up to 1/3 of its body weight every night.
1,000 bats can consume 4 tons of insects each year.
Return flight, they re-enter Carlsbad Cavern with spectacular dives from heights of hundreds of feet. Individual bats diving in from every direction may reach speeds of 25 mph or more. They put on quite a spectacular show.
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