Bat Bats are flying mammals in the order Chiroptera (pronounced /kaɪˈrɒptərə/). The forelimbs of bats are webbed and developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums and colugos, glide rather than fly, and only for short distances. Bats do not flap their entire forelimbs, as birds do, but instead flap their spread out digits,[2] which are very long and covered with a thin membrane or patagium.-definition from Wikipedia.
Bat's perform an important function of eating fruit and carrying the seeds to other locations. Bat guana is highly sought after by farmers and gardners. It is supercharged manure. However, they can also be a niusance when hiding in your garage or attic and roosting in your gable vents on the sides of your homes. Keep in mind they do consume about 1000 insects in an hour such as mosquitos. Talk about organic pest control...you can't beat it.