Bats are mammals belonging to the order Chiroptera, which means "hand-wing." There are over 1,400 species of bats, making them the second-largest order of mammals after rodents. They are divided into two main groups: megabats, which are larger and primarily fruit-eaters, and microbats, which are smaller and often feed on insects. Bats play essential roles in ecosystems, including pollination and pest control. Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit various environments, from tropical rainforests to deserts. Many species are nocturnal, using echolocation to navigate and hunt for food in the dark. Bats are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems and contribute significantly to agriculture by controlling insect populations.