I wonder if bats think in metric?
Safety Issues - Bats
COLLEGE STATION: A reminder to avoid contact with bats is being made by
Texas A&M University officials. The annual bat migration may be
starting earlier that usual this year, perhaps due to milder than usual
temperatures in August and September. Due to the expected increase in
the number of bats arriving in this area during the annual fall
migration, officials want to caution individuals about handling or
approaching bats.
According to Dr. John Patton, a Research Scientist with Wildlife and
Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, only a small percentage of
bats will have rabies. Although rabies can only be confirmed by a
laboratory, any bat that is active during the day, is found in a place
where they are not usually seen, or is unable to fly is far more likely
to be rabid. These bats are often the most easily approached, and should
not be handled.
Bats commonly found on campus are Mexican Free-tailed bats which have
been named the Official State Flying Mammal of Texas. For this reason,
universities and other entities that have to deal with bats are limited
in ways to control them. When bats must be captured and removed from
campus, they are transported to a remote area and released. In fact,
bats perform a very beneficial service because they devour large numbers
of insects.
Anyone on campus encountering a bat that is on the ground or otherwise
acting in an unusual manner is requested to call Pest Management at
845-3383 or the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 845-2132.
Such encounters off campus should be reported to appropriate city or
county health officials.
University Risk and Compliance
1280 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1280
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University, Department of Construction Science
Langford AC Rm: A414 MD 3137, College Station, TX 77843-3137
Nihil tam absurdum, qhod non dictum sit ab aliquo
There is nothing so absurd as not to have been said by a philosopher
- -------Cicero
Telephone: 979 845 6541
Facsimile: 979 862 1572
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