Bats are the only mammals that can fly. There are hundreds of different kinds of bat, divided into two groups: the flying foxes (or fruit bats) and the microbats. Bats live everywhere but the coldest parts of the world. Their wings are actually flaps of skin stretched over their extremely long fingers. Bats live in groups in caves, trees—even in roofs. They usually sleep during the day, hanging upside down with their wings wrapped around them.

Feeding

Flying foxes feed mostly on fruits, flowers, nectar and pollen. They use their large eyes and keen sense of smell to find their food. Most microbats feed on insects, small mammals, frogs, birds and even fish. Some kinds feed on fruit and nectar, while the vampire bat feeds on the blood of mammals.

Echolocation

A bat (of the microbat sort) finds its way in the dark by using its extraordinarily strong sense of hearing. It makes very high-pitched sounds that echo back from objects, giving the bat a picture of its surroundings. It does this to find its insect prey, too. This is called echolocation.

Vampire bat

The vampire bat from South America preys on large animals, such as cattle and pigs. It attacks at night. The bat nips the animal’s skin with its razor-sharp teeth, then laps up the blood from the wound. It takes only about two teaspoons of blood—not enough to kill its prey.