Bats are one of the most misunderstood creatures on our planet. For years, many Americans
have considered bats to be evil, an omen of bad luck, even "the Devil's companion".
However, this view of bats is primarily the result of misinformation and misunderstanding.

Bats truly are amazing animals. They are the only mammals capable of flight, and
can be as big as a small fox or as small as a hummingbird. We share our environment with many,
many different lifeforms, and while we may not like all of them, we should at least seek to understand them.

Facts and Myths about Bats

• 25% of all mammals are bats
• Bats aren't blind -- in fact, they have excellent eyesight.
• Bats are a symbol of good luck in many countries, including China.
• The scientific name for bat is Chiroptera, which means "hand-wing"
• Bat's don't "get stuck in your hair". Bats are agile fliers, and not likely to get tangled up somewhere they don't intend to be.
• Although you may often be warned that bats are "rabid", only about 1% actually carry rabies -- no more than most mammals.

For more information about bats, check out these links:

Bat World- A Bat Sanctuary
Bat Conservation International
A list of bat species
Bats (for kids)