Merlin Tuttle, Ladies and Gents

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Merlin tuttle was a founder of bat conservation international until his retirement. When the congress avenue bridge was reconstructed in 19 80, the underside happened to be perfect for roosting. Now over a million, maybe up to a million and a half, mexican retail bats emerge from the bridge during peak bat season. They bring in millions of dollars a year from bat tourism.

“People fear most what they understand least." Words of wisdom from explorer/American treasure/bat expert, Dr. Merlin Tuttle. As your internet dad/host takes care of her surgically recuperating husband this week, we revisit her visit to Austin. In 2019, Alie headed to the bat capital and sat down with the legendary chiropterologist to discuss wild field stories and close calls and caves and comebacks and bat chatter and what a bat actually is and how big they get and what's up with their smushy noses, why folks are so frightened by them, the evolution of flight, echolocation, getting a bat out of your house, how they sleep upside down, which ones guzzle blood, and the latest on white nose syndrome -- which is not a drug problem. Sit back with a cup of tea or something stronger and get ready for adventure. Indiana Jones can get bent because Dr. Merlin Tuttle is the hero this nation needs.

More Spooktober episodes! alieward.com/ologies/spooktober2021

Learn more about bats & Dr. Merlin Tuttle's photography & work in conservation:

www.MerlinTuttle.org

A donation was made to: www.MerlinTuttle.org

Dr. Merlin Tuttle's bat books: www.merlintuttle.org/category/books/

Social media links:

www.instagram.com/merlintuttlephoto

www.twitter.com/merlinsbats

www.facebook.com/MerlinTuttlesBatConservation

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