Texas Science & Natural History Museum Debuts “Masters of the Night” Bat Exhibit

Austin, TX—Texas Science & Natural History Museum announces the opening of its newest exhibit, “Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats.” The exhibit will remain on view through August 2027.

Located on the museum’s fourth floor, the exhibit challenges long-held myths and reveals the remarkable lives and ecological importance of bats. Through lifelike models, engaging interactives and compelling storytelling, visitors will discover how bats help regenerate rainforests, pollinate plants and maintain balanced insect populations around the world.

“Bats are often misunderstood, but they play essential roles in ecosystems across the globe,” said Dr. Pamela R. Owen, associate director at Texas Science & Natural History Museum. “This exhibit invites visitors to look more closely, ask questions and gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable animals.”

The exhibit also highlights Austin’s unique connection to these animals as the “Bat Capital of the World.” Each summer, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost beneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. Visitors will learn that these colonial bats migrate from Mexico to raise their young at several sites in Texas, and how a 1982 bridge renovation unintentionally created an ideal habitat for an Austin colony.

For media inquiries, please email TMMComms@austin.utexas.edu.