Bats can fly in the dark because

Q. Bats can fly in the dark because

1. they have a better vision in the dark
2. the light startles in them
3. they produce high pitched sounds called ultrasonics
4. none of the above

Answer: C

Bats can fly in the dark because they produce high pitched sounds called ultrasonics.

Bats are mammals in the order Chiroptera. They are the only mammals that can fly. Other mammals like flying squirrels, or flying possum, can glide but not fly. Bats are nocturnal – they are active during the night, dusk, or dawn. Most use echolocation to catch prey and to find their way about. As nighttime animals, bats avoid direct competition with birds, few of which are nocturnal.

Bats are a successful group. They are the second largest order of mammals: there are more than 1,200 species of bats. This means that 20% of all living mammal species – one in five – are bats.

About seventy percent of bats are insectivores, which is the basal form of life for this group. The common pipistrelle is a successful example. Most of the rest are fruit-eaters (fruit bats). A few species suck blood, and a few large ones are carnivorous.

Bats live almost everywhere, except the Arctic, Antarctic and a few oceanic islands. They usually roost in caves, old buildings, or trees.

Traditionally, bats are divided into two groups. Microbats mostly use echolocation and catch insects, but just a few eat fish or drink blood. Megabats do not echolocate, but instead, eat fruit or nectar.