Click photo for intructions on building a bat house!

There are over 1,000 bat species  found  all over the world. That may sound like a lot of bats, but unfortunately their numbers  are rapidly declining. Many people are fearful of bats because of myths about these critters. One myth is that bats have a high rate of rabies.  But most bats are healthy and do not carry rabies. In fact, compared to over 55,000 deaths per year from dog related rabies cases, rabies cases in bats have only caused about 2 deaths per year since 1995. If you have a bat in your house or you see a bat that may be sick, don't touch it. Instead call Corpus Christi Animal Control and Wildlife Removal at 232-5627 for help in removing the bat.    

Bats are important because they eat thousands of insects every night. Without critters like bats, spiders, and scorpions we would have trouble growing crops, since the insect population would be out of control. About 1/3 of bat species also help crops by eating fruit and nectar which helps pollinate plants.

If you are interested in learning more about bats, or you would like to help bats by providing a habitat, click on the bat picture above. If you build a bat house, send us a picture! We'll post it on our website!  

                                                                             ~Erik

              Valentine Gift Ideas

 Erik and I enjoy going on nature photo hunts and find many heart-shaped rocks, leaves, and heart-shaped patterns on animals. This is a picture of a jumping spider with a perfect heart on her abdomen. Go on a "nature heart" photo hunt and collect  pictures to put in a small album. An album with heart photos is a great gift for someone special!

While you're on your hunt for hearts in nature, gather some wildflowers. Fill a small jar with your flowers to give to a friend or parent.

Gifts from the heart are the best gifts! Write a poem, story or song about a favorite critter.

A tarantula or scorpion in an easy-to-view habitat also makes a great gift! Erik and I pick out a new tarantula to add to our collection each holiday!

Click here for Valentine's Day crafts!

                                                                                                  ~Courtney
 

Insects in Valentine's Day Chocolate!

According to the Defect Levels Handbook, for chocolate, the FDA will not allow "60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams when 6 100-gram subsamples are examined."   So, as long as there are only 59 or less insect parts, the chocolate is okay for sale.  Don't worry, the parts are ground up, so they're not visible. Fortunately, insect parts aren't harmful to us at all. In fact, a study done by the University of Ohio estimates we probably eat up to 2 pounds of insects each year!  Yum, Yum!

                  ~Erik
 

Reptile Shows

The North American Reptile Breeders Conference will be held in Arlington, Texas on February 12th and 13th.   

Reptile shows are held in San Antonio, Texas several times a year. The next show will be on March 5th and 6th. Reptile shows are a great place to learn more about critters directly from the breeders. Reptiles  are inexpensive at the reptile shows and some come with guarantees. Erik and I like to buy our critter tanks at reptile shows, since they come in many shapes and sizes for low prices. We travel to as many shows as we can, so look for us!    

                ~Courtney 

The Spider's Web

The spider, dropping down from twig,

Unfolds a plan of her devising,

A thin premeditated rig to use in rising.

And all that journey down through space,

In cool descent and loyal hearted,

She spins a ladder to the place

From where she started.

Thus I, gone forth as spiders do

In spider's web a truth discerning,

Attach one silken thread to you

For my returning.