Bats, of the order Chiroptera, are the only mammals capable of sustained flight. Their wings, spread-out fingers covered by a thin membrane, make them more manoeuvrable than birds. Bats range in size from Kitti's hog- nosed bat, weighing 2–2.6 g (0.07–0.09 oz), to the giant golden- crowned flying fox, up to 1.6 kg (4 lb) with a wingspan of up to 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in). The second largest order of mammals after rodents, bats comprise about 20% of all mammal species, with over 1,200 species distributed across the world. Most bats are nocturnal. They are mostly insect- and fruit-eaters, but some are carnivorous, such as vampire bats. Some are important for pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds; others consume insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. Bats harbour the agents of many communicable diseases, such as rabies and coronaviruses. They are often associated with darkness, malevolence, vampires, and death.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1745:

Jacobite risings: Jacobite troops led by Charles Edward Stuart defeated Hanoverian forces in Prestonpans, Scotland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Prestonpans

1965:

Portugal accepted a diplomatic mission from Southern Rhodesia despite objections by Britain, which had required the colony to implement black majority rule as a condition of independence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_mission_in_Lisbon

1996:

The Defense of Marriage Act was passed by the United States Congress, prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriage, while allowing states to adopt any marital definition of their choosing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

olive branch: 1. A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace. 2. (figurative) Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace. [...] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/olive_branch

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

What fascinates me — mesmerizes me — isn't so much Trump himself as the American government he's crafted: a major world power with no policy, no consistency, and no idea what it's doing.   --Stephen King https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_King