Have you ever wondered what happens in the jungle after sundown? At the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Bat Lab, in Gamboa, you’ll not only get up close and personal with bats, scorpions, and frogs, you´ll get to explore their world under the cover of night. With over 120 bat species calling Panama home, this little country offers numerous opportunties to catch a glimpse of these often misunderstood nocturnal creatures. Just a stone’s throw outside of PTY city limits, the experts at the Bat Lab present “Bat Nights” at Gamboa, where cutting-edge research meets unforgettable wildlife encounters.
On the first Sunday evening of every month, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at the Gamboa campus offers visitors a chance to delve into the world of these fascinating and mysterious animals. You’ll learn about “bat ecology, diversity, evolution and behavior” from learning stations and get a closer look at bats that researchers retrieve from the “mist nets” set up in the nearby forest.
BAT BASICS
Historically, bats have gotten a really bad rap as being carriers of disease, nasty blood suckers and generally creepy animals associated with mental illness. The truth, however, is that less than 1 percent of bats are actually carry rabies, making it very unlikely that the disease would ever be transmitted to humans. Furthermore, bats play a very positive role in their respective ecosystems with many being responsible for keeping insect populations like mosquitos, beetles and moths in check. Tropical bats, like the ones found here in Panama, play a crucial role in pollination as they feed on the nectar of flowering plants as well as dispersing seeds as they feed on fruits.
LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS
My friends and I had the absolute best time at this event. We loved interacting with the scientists and checking out their individual stations that were devoted to the tiniest of insects, cool, glowing scorpions and rainforest mapping. Their excitement was infectious and we learned so many amazing things. Then, there were the bats we all came to see. The staffers brought out a few different species and happily answered our questions about evertything from foraging adaptations to wing shapes.
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Finally, we ventured into the forest to see what we could see with our new headlamps. Our guide was a volunteer from Florida State University. He pointed out several different types of frogs during our walk. Small ones were calling a mate, while the larger, gladiator frogs were poised to fight for breeding rights. We were so lucky to see several red-eyed tree frogs and a couple of caimans whose eyes glowed in the dark from the swampy water. The sense of adventure was next level. I could honestly do this over and over again.
At the end of the day, this event totally exceeded my expectations. The staff at Gamboa pieced together a fascinating picture of what jungle life is like from the most miniscule insect to the only flying mammal in the world. This is a must-do for families, nature lovers and people looking for an outside the box experience. Best of all, it’s free!
What’s your favorite local adventure that you would do again and again? Drop a comment below. I´d love to hear from you!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- CONTACT: Email gamboabatnights@gmail.com to reserve your spot. This event fills up quickly, so be sure to email early in the month for the next event.
- Bat Night is from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on the first Sunday evening of the month.
- The lab is located at Smithsonian building in Gamboa, on Morrow Drive.
- Groups of 10 or less can attend with a reservation.
- Wear rubber boots or other closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and insect repellent.
- There is no cost to attend the event.