Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Some mammals can glide,but none except bats can fly using wings. There over 900 known species of bats. Bats are found almost everywhere apart from the Arctic, Antarctica and a few isolated oceanic islands. Most bats are insectivores. Some species also feed on fruits, nectar and small animals such as lizards frogs. Some bats even eat fish.
Echolocation
Bats use sounds to navigate and detect obstacles in their flight. This technique is known as echolocation. More than half of the bat species use this technique by contracting their larynx to product echolocation sounds. Some bat species also click their tongue, producing a sound that is represented by hitting two round pebbles together. Most bats product along sequence of calls. The higher-pitch sounds hits their prey, it bounces enabling them to know what lies in front of them.
Adaptation
A bat's wing are modified fingers that contain the same bones as a four-fingered human hand. A thin, strong membrane spreads across these bones, connecting them to the bat's back and legs. The thumb clings from a hanging position. When they have to land, the slow down and take hold of a branch or other surface. Bats also have a sophisticated sense of smell which helps them find fruits and flowers.
Beneficial
Best are highly beneficial animals. A single bat can eat over 3000 insects in a night. Insectivorous bats can thus help humans to get rid of insects without the use of chemical insecticides. Bats are also great pollinators. Countless plants depend on bats for pollination and seed dispersal.
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