It’s that time of the year when Brazilian Free-tailed bats arrive in the San Luis Valley on their epic journey from South America. The Orient Mine, near Valley View Hot Springs, is the home to the largest bachelor colony in North America. In mid to late June more than 250,000 bats return to the mine. Each bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes in one hour. The bats remain in the area until late September. Daily tours are offered at Valley View Hot Springs typically two hours before sunset. For more information contact Valley View at 719-256-4315. Website: olt.org/mine/bats. For an article titled, “Natural History of the Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat in the San Luis Valley of Colorado,” visit: jstor.org/sta-
ble/1381461.
It’s that time of the year when Brazilian Free-tailed bats arrive in the San Luis Valley on their epic journey from South America. The Orient Mine, near Valley View Hot Springs, is the home to the largest bachelor colony in North America. In mid to late June more than 250,000 bats return to the mine. Each bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes in one hour. The bats remain in the area until late September. Daily tours are offered at Valley View Hot Springs typically two hours before sunset. For more information contact Valley View at 719-256-4315. Website: olt.org/mine/bats. For an article titled, “Natural History of the Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat in the San Luis Valley of Colorado,” visit: jstor.org/stable/1381461.
