Family Day: Dispelling the fears and myths about Bats

They are not rodents, they don’t like your hair and they won’t attack you. Bats will, however, eat up to 1,200 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour. Their favorite diet includes insects that can spread disease and cost farmers and foresters billions of dollars every year in damaged crops.

Placer Nature Center invites children and parents to the annual bat education day: "Super-heroes of the Night" on Saturday, October 11 between 11AM and 2PM. Live bats of California native species will make appearances along with their caretakers to answer questions on these magnificent creatures that are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Saturday’s presenter, NorCalBats, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California. They will share the environmental benefits of bats as well as dispel fears and myths that lead to the death of bat roosts and colonies.

The bats they will bring for viewing and discussion are certified as non-releasable by California Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Department of Agriculture—injury keeps them from surviving in the wild.

Also open for exploration will be the Nature Center’s Main Exhibit Hall and WaterShed Learning Center, Discovery Lab, Maidu Village, Demonstration Garden and The Nature Shop.

Placer Nature Center is located off Interstate 80 east of Auburn, at 3700 Christian Valley Rd. Take the Dry Creek exit and follow the blue Nature Center signs to Christian Valley Road. Proceed four miles to the California Conservation Corps. Turn left and follow the signs to the parking lot, a footpath leads to the exhibit hall. For more information, call (530) 878-6053 or visit www.placernaturecenter.org .