The bats are the only mammals gifted that can fly like birds. They move in the air thanks to their wings formed by a membrane of skin between body, members and fingers. They land very seldom on the ground and move awkwardly on it. They generally sleep 20 hours a day upside down by suspending from the ceiling with their claws. Mostly active at night, they have the ability to head in the dark by emitting ultrasonic sounds (echolocation). Bats locate and eat insects thanks to ultrasonic sounds. They emit sound waves that are reflected by insects in flight. They live mostly in underground cavities such as grottos, old quarries, caves, or underground tunnels.

Bats are sacred in Tonga, England, Australia, Bosnia and West Africa. They are often seen as the physical manifestation of wandering spirits. They are closely associated with the myth of vampires who have the capacity to transform into animals, particularly in bats (like the famous vampire Dracula). They are also the symbol of ghosts, death and disease. For American Indians (such as Creeks, Cherokees and the Apaches), they represent evil spirits. In China, the bat is the symbol of longevity and happiness. They also bear chance in Poland and Macedonia. In Western culture, bats are often associated with the night with a connotation of doom and death.