Bats are the only flying mammals and comprise the second largest order of mammals in the world. A bat's grasp is strong enough to hold its entire body weight while its body hangs upside down. Just one insectivorous bat can eat 600 or more mosquitoes in a single hour. Ecology and Conservation Fruit and nectar-eating bats are among the most important seed dispersers and pollinators of tropical rain forest trees and plants. Many economically important crops such as bananas, avocados, vanilla, and peaches are dependent upon bats for pollination.
Bats are valuable subjects for scientific and medical studies.
Insectivorous bats are essential in controlling mosquito populations. Bibliography Fenton, Brock. A Guide to Animal Classification. James D. Smith Bats- A Natural History. Parker, Sybil P. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals.