Bats are Mammals that Can Fly

Contrary to popular belief, bats are not birds but mammals.

What makes these creatures unique is that they are the only mammals capable of sustained flight, and they are not simply gliding like flying squirrels.

Bats make up the order Chiroptera, which is divided into two major groups: megabats and microbats.

Megabats, or fruit bats, specialize in feasting on fruit, whereas microbats feed on insects, blood, fish, and even other bats.

Bats, especially the insectivorous varieties, play a vital role in controlling insect populations.

This makes them beneficial to agriculture and the economy overall.

Their droppings, called guano, are rich in nutrients and used as a fertilizer.

Bats also participate in pollination and seed dispersal, contributing significantly to the biodiversity of their ecosystems.

Some species of bats are even known to live for over 30 years, which is extraordinary for a mammal of their size.

Many bats, however, are threatened by habitat loss, diseases such as the white-nose syndrome, and wind turbines..