[a] with their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight Bats, on the other hand, are the only mammals in the world that can actually fly and control their flight Their scientific name, chiroptera, originates from the greek language, and means “hand wing”. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight Other mammals like the flying squirrel glide rather than actually fly As we saw above, a bat’s wing resembles a modified human hand—imagine the skin between your fingers larger, thinner and stretched
This flexible skin membrane that extends between each long finger bone and many movable joints make bats agile fliers While other mammals like flying squirrels can glide, bats can flap their wings, achieving greater control and distance, which distinguishes them from all other mammals Bats are also equipped with a sophisticated echolocation system, allowing them to navigate and hunt in complete darkness. Mammals that don’t quite soar while bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, some other mammals can glide, leading to occasional confusion Animals like flying squirrels and sugar gliders possess specialized membranes that allow them to travel through the air. In the dusky realms between day and night, a remarkable evolutionary marvel takes flight
