20 Questions With a Free-Tailed Bat
By Editor | August 17, 2007
In this interview, we sat down with one of the nationally famous Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin.
Most Austinites are familiar with the nearly 1.5 million free-tailed bats that roost beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge from spring to fall.
But never before has anyone interviewed one of the bats. That is, until now. Our own Brandon Cornett caught up with one of these interesting creatures for an eye-opening Q&A session.
Austin Probe: First let me thank you for taking time out of your day to sit down and chat with me.
Free-tailed Bat: The pleasure’s all mine, really. This kind of thing is long overdue.
Would you like to introduce yourself for our readers?
Well, I’m one of the bats who live under the bridge downtown.
The Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin.
That’s the one, my friend.
And your name is…
Bats don’t have names. We identify each other by scent mostly. But you can call me Samantha. I’ve always felt like a Samantha.
Oh, so you’re a female bat?
Uh, yeah. Sure I am. [Looks away with what appears to be embarrassment.]
Okay … Samantha.
Sam is fine too.
Okay, Sam. Can you tell me a little about your colony?
Sure can, my friend. Well, as you know there are quite a few of us…
About 1.5 million is the current estimate.
Numbers don’t mean anything to bats. But sure, that sounds good to me. So anyway, there are a ton of us living under the bridge during the spring, summer and fall. And in the winters we head on back down to Mexico.
Hence the name Mexican free-tailed bats?
Bull’s-eye, hoss. Yes, we are from Mexico. But we actually spend more of our time here in Austin, so we consider ourselves Austinites.
And is it true your colony was almost wiped out at one point?
Well, that was before my time, but my parents still get a shiver when they talk about it. They call those the “Dark Days.” A bunch of crazies wanted to burn us out of there. They thought we were a health hazard.
Which you are not?
Hey, you’re sitting in this room with me. Do you feel your health is at risk?
Not really.
Boom. Case in point.
Granted. Okay, so how about if we do a little rapid-fire Q&A … are you up for it, Sam?
Fire away, hoss.
Favorite place in Austin?
Besides the bridge … that would be the tree line along Town Lake. It is absolutely buzzing with insects, my friend. Every night like clockwork.
Favorite food?
Dragonfly. Tastes just like chicken.
You’ve tasted chicken?
No, but I hear that expression a lot. Thought I would put it out there.
Boxers or briefs?
I don’t know what those are.
Britney or Lindsey?
Neither. I’ve always had a thing for Sandra Bullock. I flew right over her head once, the night her restaurant opened. Her hair smelled like berries.
Which do you prefer, Mexico or Austin?
For food, Mexico. For the nightlife, Austin.
Playing it safe, huh?
You know it, hoss.
Any final message for the people?
Final??
As in the end of the interview.
Oh, gotcha. Jesus, don’t say things like “final.” I thought it was the Dark Days again.
Any parting words?
Yes. Ease up on the pesticides, people. I saw a moth with two heads the other night.
Thanks for your time, Sam.
Same to ya, hoss.
Sound Off, Austin
Do you have a question for Sam, the Mexican free-tailed bat of Congress Avenue? If so, post it through the “Comments” box below and we will get a response for you.
Topics: Around Town |