The mammal order Chiroptera ('hand-wing' from the Greek 'chiro' for hand and 'ptera' for wing) is named for a unique five-digit bony structure within a bat's wing that appears strikingly similar to a human hand. All bats belong to Chiroptera. The long ears of a northern bat (and all bats) are extremely sensitive, allowing them to navigate using high-frequency sound (above).

Bats are docile and harmless little creatures of the night, so there is absolutely no reason to fear them.

But many fallacies remain about bats, which make up nearly 25 percent of the mammal species of the world.

What is a bat? Of the order Chiroptera, they are mammals and therefore have hair and mother's milk to feed their young. But they are not mice, in spite of their appearance.

Bats are the only truly flying mammals. They do not attack people, though they will bite to protect themselves if you pick them up.

Bats are said to carry lice, but there are no lice on bats.

Bats often fly about people, but this is not an effort to attack or to get in one's hair. The bats are probably pursuing insects; or, as when they are in a confined area, they can't get away from people fast enough. Some of this behavior may disturb you if you are uncomfortable near them.

Very few bats have rabies, and even then they are not belligerent. Obviously, you should not pick up any animal with rabies and be careful to avoid being bitten.

On the good side, bats are exceedingly beneficial.

All the bats of Indiana feed on night-flying insects, but seldom on mosquitoes. Though bats will eat mosquitoes, the insects are not the preferred diet choice because they are so small and generally do not swarm; they fly near the ground alone.