Nature

The Bat Man of Mexico

An ecologist tracks the lesser long-nosed bat’s epic migration across Mexico, braving hurricanes, snakes and seas of cockroaches, in order to save the species and the tequila plants they pollinate.

The Bat Man of Mexico

50m 19s

An ecologist tracks the lesser long-nosed bat’s epic migration across Mexico, braving hurricanes, snakes and seas of cockroaches, in order to save the species and the tequila plants they pollinate.

Previews + Extras

  • Preview of The Bat Man of Mexico: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview of The Bat Man of Mexico

    S39 E13 - 30s

    An ecologist tracks the lesser long-nosed bat’s epic migration across Mexico, braving hurricanes, snakes and seas of cockroaches, in order to save the species and the tequila plants they pollinate.

  • Bat Volcano Erupts at Night: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Bat Volcano Erupts at Night

    S39 E13 - 1m 56s

    More than three million bats live in the caves of Calakmul. To avoid being eaten by predators, they form a living tornado, or "bat volcano," when they fly. In this whirling mass, it’s almost impossible for their predators to choose a target.

  • How Glowing Poop Helps Bat Conservation: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Glowing Poop Helps Bat Conservation

    S39 E13 - 3m 11s

    To track the migration patterns and distances of the lesser long-nosed bats, Ecologist Rodrigo Medellin coats the bats he catches in harmless UV dust, which they lick off and digest. The glowing dust passes through their system, and by tracking the glowing bat droppings, he can prove how far they’ve flown.

  • Bat Birth Caught On Camera for First Time: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Bat Birth Caught On Camera for First Time

    S39 E13 - 2m 22s

    Ecologist Rodrigo Medellin set up remote cameras in a bat “nursery.” The cameras capture a behavior that has never been filmed before: a mother giving birth.

Similar Shows

Poster Image
Vitals: show-poster2x3

Vitals

Science and Nature

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.