Bats are mammals

 Yes, bats are indeed mammals! They belong to the order *Chiroptera*, which makes them the only group of mammals capable of sustained flight. Bats are warm-blooded, have fur, give live birth, and nurse their young with milk, all characteristics of mammals.

There are over 1,400 species of bats, making them one of the most diverse groups of mammals. They range in size from the tiny bumblebee bat, which can be as small as a thumb, to the large flying foxes with wingspans of up to six feet. Bats play essential roles in ecosystems, from pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds to controlling insect populations.