Bats belong to the family Chiroptera. This unique family is characterized by their ability to fly, which is facilitated by their specially adapted forelimbs that form wings. Chiroptera encompasses over 1,400 species, making bats one of the most diverse groups of mammals.
The term ‘Chiroptera’ is derived from Greek words meaning ‘hand’ and ‘wing’, highlighting their distinctive wing structure. Bats are further divided into two suborders: Megachiroptera (fruit bats or flying foxes) and Microchiroptera (smaller bats, many of which use echolocation).
Understanding the family and diversity of bats is crucial, as they play essential roles in ecosystems, such as pollination and insect control.