University of Florida Bat House, Florida, United States
4.5 (433 reviews) Sunday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Ranking #8 in Gainesville Nature & Wildlife Areas
Very interesting!
The University of Florida Bat Houses are the world's largest occupied bat houses with an estimated population of 500,000. The structures are located on the north side of Museum Road between Village Drive and Radio Road across from Lake Alice on the UF campus. Parking is available in a lot just west of the houses near Radio Road or across Museum Road near the Baughman Center. A UF parking decal is required Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Parking is free after 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and on weekends and state holidays. The bats normally emerge 10 to 15 minutes after sunset before total darkness when temperatures are 65 F or higher. High winds, heavy rain or cold temperatures will keep the bats inside for the evening. On warm winter evenings, the bats may come out for a drink of water at the lake and exercise; however they can eat only when bugs are flying.
Address
Museum Road Near Lake Alice, Gainesville, FL 32611
Mobile
Website
http://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/bats
Working hours
Monday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday : 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 0:32
User Ratings
4.5 based on (433 reviews)
Reviews
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5REG1966MHS 5:00 PM Mar 21, 2020
Amazing to watch nearly 500,000 bats exit the houses..
An unusual experience not to be believed until you witness it. Nearly 500,000 bats begin to exit the houses at 15 minutes past sunset. There is a virtually constant flow of bats for about an hour. Read the website before you go to understand what is happening. It’s free! Parking nearby.
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5Susan G 5:00 PM Jul 1, 2020
Something to do outside during Covid19
We are truly animal people. We adore bats and respect how vital they are to the environment. We arrived too early but it was worth the wait. At the predicted 15 minutes after sunset the bats began to emerge. What seemed like millions of bats, flew in a swirling mob until they spread out across the sky.
