The bat is the only mammal that can fly. 

Humans are mammals. Mammals are vertebrate (back-boned) animals with fur or hair that feeds milk to their babies. Mammals include bats, dogs, cats, horses, rodents, primates, whales, dolphins, ungulates, and many more.

The bat does not fly like a bird, because it does not have feathers.

The bat has fur and ‘wings’ with five fingers and a thin membrane from its chest and back that covers its long fingers. 

The bat flies by spreading its fingers, arching its wings, and pushing downward, resting on the uplift of the wings, and pushing downward again.

The bat does not have enough power to lift itself off the ground, so it drops from a branch or perch. 

Location of photographs: London Zoo, England

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM