Bat Bats have big ears, furry bodies and wings like leather. They are nocturnal mammals. This means they sleep in caves and attics during the day and fly out to feed at night-time. Bats are the only mammals that can fly. They are very fast and acrobatic. When they chase after insects, they twist and turn in mid-air. Bats use sound to catch insects in the darkness. They send out high-pitched squeals that humans cannot hear. The echoes that bounce back tell the bats exactly where they will find their prey. Flying foxes, or fruit bats, are large bats that live in tropical Africa and Asia. They mainly eat fruit. Flying foxes are important because they help to spread the pollen and seeds of many plants. (Adapted from The Little Animal Encyclopedia, 2001, p. 19)​