Bat Volcano

February 08, 2020
Bats hunt in the dark using echolocation, meaning they use echoes of self-produced sounds bouncing off objects to help them navigate. … Contrary to myth, bats aren’t blind. In fact, research shows that depending on the circumstances, bats sometimes prefer using eyesight to sound when hunting.

For as the eyes of bats are to the blaze of day, so is the reason in our soul to the things which are by nature most evident of all.

Aristotle

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the largest tropical forest reserve in Mexico, spans more than 1.5 million acres in the heart of the Maya Forest. Near Calakmul just off Highway 186 at km marker 107, you’ll find a small parking area. From there, it’s a 1km walk along an easy trail to the top of the bat cave overlook.

Road sign near Calakmul Bat Cave, Mexico. Drivers are encouraged to slow down at dusk as bats cross the highway.

The eruption of a volcano full of bats

  “A volcano may be considered as a cannon of immense size.”

Oliver Goldsmith

Starting at about an hour before dusk every day of the year, seven species of bats exit the cave to forage for insects in the night sky. The exact number of bats is unknown but estimates place the colony’s size at between two to five million bats.

When the bats first start to fly out, it’s just a trickle of bats here and there. It’s hard to imagine the spectacle that is going to form before your eyes over the next hour or so. You can see why locals call the cave “El Volcan de Los Murcielagos” or Bat Volcano. 

 

The Bat Movie!

When the number of bats exiting the cave peaks, the mass swirls like a swirling eruption against the sky’s fading light. It’s a jaw-dropping wildlife spectacle!

 

 

 

 

So sit back and enjoy our short movie and thanks for watching!

 

1 Comment

  1. Carole
    Carole on February 8, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Oh my, what an adventure! And what a tremendous movie for us all to see… loved the credits to the dogs for not barking…and the dedication to dear little Tessy… for Tessy, I think just being with you full time these last few months of her life made all her little doggie dreams come true! That is all she ever wanted❤️

    Reply

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