Which is the Only Mammal That Can Fly?

Every evening, just after the sunset, you might have seen some small creatures darting around the sky. They are not birds as they move differently, too fast, too sharp, too unpredictable. 

Do you know that these little flyers carry one of the most interesting facts in all of animal science? These little creatures are mammals like us. And they are the ones who have the ability to fly. Do you know which is the only mammal that can fly? Let’s find out. 

Which is the Only Mammal That Can Fly?

The answer is the Bat. Apart from the bats, no other mammal in the world can truly fly. Bats don’t glide or jump from trees, they actually fly and catch their food in flight.

Bats belong to the order Chirpetra, which is the word from the Greek and means "hand-wing. 

The New Mexico Department of Health mentions: “Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. They belong to  the Order Chiroptera, which means "winged hand". Although often mistaken for rodents, they are more closely related to primates." 

appeared in the Eocene epoch about 58 million years ago.”

Globally, there are more than 1,400 species of bats and India hosts approximately 135 species.

The Bat Conversation International states: “India is home to a staggering 135 species of bats, 16 of which are found nowhere else in the world.”

What is the Difference Between Flying and Gliding?

This is the most typical confusion. Many people think that flying squirrels or flying lemurs also fly. However, they do not.

A flying squirrel leaps from one tree and uses the flaps on its skin to slow itself down until it comes to rest on a second tree. It's always pointing down. It can't go up or stay at a level. This is referred to as “gliding” which simply means a controlled fall.

A bat, however, flaps its wings to lift itself. It can go up, accelerate, execute a sudden turn and remain airborne as long as it wants.

Are Bats Really Mammals?

Yes, completely. Bats are complete mammals. They have fur on their body. They produce young babies which are known as pups. They give milk to their young. They have warm blood. All the requirements of being a mammal apply to them. The only difference is that they are simply the only flying mammals.

The Bat Conservation Ireland mentions: “Bats are mammals. This means that they have fur covered bodies, they are warm blooded and give birth to live young. Mothers feed their newborn babies milk. Bats are the only mammals that can undertake true powered flight.”

How Do Bats See in the Dark and How it Helps them Fly?

Most species of bats are nocturnal which means that they are only active at night. But how do they move around without bumping into walls, how do they find insects, and how do they move around in total darkness?

Bats use echolocation. Bats can make high-frequency sound waves which our ears cannot hear. These sounds move out and when they get to something, they come back as an echo. Those echoes are ‘read’ by the bat and they get a complete picture about what is around them in total darkness.

Important Facts for Exams

1. Are Bats Responsible for Nipah, Rabies and COVID-19?

Ans: This is one of the top questions concerning bats in recent years. Bats are hosts to some dangerous viruses. Multiple outbreaks of Nipah Virus have occurred in Kerala and it is directly associated with fruit bats. Bats are also hosts for Rabies in many countries around the world. It is also believed that COVID-19 also originated in bats. 

The National Library of Medicine mentions: “Bats are reservoir hosts of several high-impact viruses that cause significant human diseases, including Nipah virus, Marburg virus and rabies virus. They also harbor many other viruses that are thought to have caused disease in humans after spillover into intermediate hosts, including SARS and MERS coronaviruses.”

2. What Is the Scientific Order of Bats? 

Bats are under the order of Chiroptera which means "hand-wing" in Greek. This word has been directly asked in many important exams. The National Library of Medicine mentions: “What is known about bats is that they belong to the order Chiroptera, literally meaning “hand wing.” Some mammals such as lemurs and squirrels may parachute, but only bats have powered flight.”

3. Do Vampire Bats Actually Exist and Are They Found in India?

Vampire bats exist however, they are not in India. They are all only found in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. They feed on animal blood. The National Geographic Kids mentions: “While much of the world sleeps, vampire bats emerge from dark caves, mines, tree hollows, and abandoned buildings in Mexico and Central and South America.”

4. Which Indian States Have the Most Bat Species?

The State of India's Bats for 2024-25 shows that West Bengal has the highest number with 68 species, followed by Meghalaya at 66 species, Uttarakhand at 52, Sikkim at 43 species and Kerala and Karnataka hosts 41 species. The State of Indian Bats report states: “West Bengal leads with 68 bat species, followed by Meghalaya (66 species), and Uttarakhand (52 species). States like Kerala and Karnataka (41 species each), and Sikkim (43 species[24]) also showcase notable diversity."