Come learn more about Arizona’s nocturnal animals 
  
Interested in an up close and personal encounter with a diamondback rattlesnake or a great-horned owl? Certain Arizona critters come alive in the night, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department invites you to attend its last free nocturnal animal viewing event of the summer on Friday, Aug. 5 at 7:15 p.m.

Biologists will present information about nocturnal wildlife and answer questions. Featured animal stations include: a black-crowned night-heron, barn owl, ringtail, skunk, and many other creatures that are awake and active during the night. During the daytime, these animals escape the heat by hiding in dens or burrows, but thrive and hunt under a moonlit sky.

Viewing of the native nocturnal animals is a unique and special opportunity for residents to learn more about wildlife that can be found in their community. At times, these animals can be found in your very own neighborhood, and these wildlife specialists can provide information and tips on how these encounters should be handled.  

There will also be an opportunity to view Mexican free-tail bats as they leave their roost for the evening at Phoenix’s largest bat colony, near the Biltmore area. Bats are most frequently observed between April and October, but many species are active year-round in the state. They are the only mammal that can truly fly and, contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some of the Valley’s more secretive residents. The events are free to the public. Educators are also encouraged to attend and receive continuing education credit.

Those attending an event should park at the commercial building located at 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle. The building is on the northeast corner of 24th Street and Arizona Biltmore Circle, just south of Lincoln Dr. The event will take place on the southwest corner of that intersection at the Maricopa County Flood Control District Tunnel, next to the Squaw Peak Police Precinct. It will be marked with signage.

For more information about bats in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov.