[dropcap]A [/dropcap]bat-related tidbit got trimmed last week when Montage got a bit too fat.
Information on rabies is available online with a search with the three words “Rabies Merlin Tuttle”.
Again, if you find a bat, do not touch.
An “unheard of” (anywhere in the world) bat-related incident occurred this summer in Mountain City. A resident trimming honeysuckle vines was bitten by a bat. And, the bat tested positive for rabies. The unfortunate Mountain Cityian is taking rabies shots.
Almost always, on the rare occasion when a bat bites, the bat bite comes when a human picks up a bat.
In Dr. Tuttle’s paper on rabies, he says, “The 1.5 million Brazilian free-tailed bats living in the center of Austin, Texas provide an excellent example how bats and humans can safely coexist at great mutual benefit when conservationists and public health officials cooperate in providing a balanced message. By simply posting small signs warning visitors not to handle bats, millions have observed the spectacular bat emergences close-up over the past 35 years without a single individual being attacked or contracting any disease. The bats consume tons of insects nightly and attract millions of tourist dollars each summer.”
NextDoor.com continues to contain reports of snake encounters. Kelly Norrid, urban biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, educates with “If you see a snake, remember that they’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”
A Houston Chronicle article quotes Norrid, “Snakes are very unlikely to bite you,” he said, explaining that the creatures, especially venomous ones, resort to striking as a last-ditch effort. “Venom is exclusively used for prey acquisition. Trust me, snakes don’t look at humans as prey. We’re too large and too threatening.”
Snakes keep our rodent population down.
Black vultures tend to our carrion. Recently, we counted 13 “vultures” in and around the Garza’s front lawn, including across the street at LaVerne McClendon’s. Very little remained of a dead fawn.
Count on the 4th of July parade being bigger and better than ever. VFW post 12058 in Kyle will be leading the parade! Loving Mountain City’s Lawnmower Races and Parade begin at 10 a.m.
‘Hope to see you in red, white, and blue!
‘Hope to hear from you, too, with a tidbit or two. [email protected] (subject: tidbit) or 512-268-5678. Thanks!
Love, Pauline
