1. Nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
   "Bats are the only chiropterans and the only mammals capable of true flight"; "flittermice are the only chiropterans and the only mammals capable of true flight";
   - bat, flittermouse [archaic]

Derived forms: chiropterans

Type of: eutherian, eutherian mammal, placental, placental mammal

Part of: Chiroptera, order Chiroptera

Encyclopedia: Chiropteran