Bats and rats are not related, as bats belong to a completely different order of mammals called Chiroptera. Unlike rats, which are part of the order Rodentia, bats are more closely related to other mammals such as cats than to rodents. This distinction emphasizes that bats are not merely "flying rodents," a common misconception, but rather unique creatures that represent the only group of flying mammals.

Several credible sources make it clear that bats have their own evolutionary lineage. For instance, an article on Britannica states flatly that bats are not related to mice or rats at all, reinforcing their classification within the Chiroptera order. Similarly, a Reddit post highlights the fact that bats are often mistaken for rodents but clarifies that they belong to a distinct order, emphasizing their closer relations to other non-rodent mammals.

Further dereferencing this myth, Quora discussions and YouTube summaries assert that there are no flying rodents, as bats represent a unique category of mammals. Furthermore, according to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, while bats have no relation to rodents, they do share distant evolutionary ties with other mammals such as pangolins and whales.

For a more biological perspective, Wikipedia details that bats account for approximately 20% of all classified mammal species and delineates their role in mammalian taxonomy. Bat Conservation International also notes the fascinating array of unexpected relatives, including various mammals that share common ancestry with bats, thereby categorizing them collectively as placental mammals.

In summary, bats and rats are not related, and bats hold a unique position in the mammalian order, separate from rodents.

Sources

Are Bats Rodents? - BritannicaBats are often mistaken as rodents, but in fact they belong to their ...Some people say that bats are just rats and mice with wings ... - QuoraBats are Rats with Wings??... No they are not rodents! - YouTubeAre Bats Related to Rodents? - Skedaddle Humane Wildlife ControlBat - WikipediaSurprising Bat Relatives - Bat Conservation International

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