They are nocturnal. They hang upside down. They fly but aren’t birds. They reside in tall trees and crevices of abandoned buildings. And that’s just about enough for humans to create an enigma around bats, which ranges from innocuous intrigue and fear to countless myths and superstitious beliefs, making them permanent fixtures in horror movies. But there is more to the winged creature, and the only sense of intrigue that can arise after learning more about it would allude to the wondrous ways of nature.

Since 1997, over 30 countries have been observing International Bat Night on the last full weekend of August, under which nature conservation agencies and NGOs from across Europe pass on information to the public about the habitat of bats and their ways through exhibitions and bat walks. While India is not a participating country, it is home to 119 different species of bats. And though pigeons and crows make up a good chunk of Mumbai’s avian population, colonies of bats can be found across the city, too. So cast off all fear to meet the only flying mammal in nature.