3. Under what Austin bridge would you find the largest urban bat population in North America?
From Quiz Welcome to Austin, Texas
Answer:
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
According to Bat Conservation International, in 2015 there were 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats living under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. The bridge was originally completed in 1910. The bat colony was born in 1980 when bridge reconstruction created small gaps under the bridge which made an excellent bat habitat. In 2006, the bridge was renamed for former Texas governor Ann Richards who served in that capacity from 1991 to 1995. Hundreds of people watch the bats exit every evening from the bridge top, boats, and surrounding area. The bats eat up to 20,000 pounds of insects, including mosquitoes and other pests, every night.
Central Texas is home to many bat colonies. In Round Rock, 15 miles to the north of Austin, another 750,000 bats can be found under an Interstate 35 bridge. Bracken Cave is 65 miles to the south and home to the world's largest bat colony hosting approximately 20,000,000 Mexican free-tailed bats.
The Pennybacker Bridge on Capitol of Texas Highway and spanning Lake Austin is also a well know area landmark.