Abstract
The sensory world of animals is complex and dynamic. They must detect, sort, and track biologically relevant signals to communicate, seek food, avoid predators, and navigate in space. As the second-largest group of mammals with over 1300 species, bats have evolved to conquer the night sky. They are the only mammals equipped with powered flight and use a sophisticated echolocation system to orient in low-light environments, avoid obstacles, and find food. Although the bat fossil record spans 50 million years, its sparseness has sparked controversial discussions about the evolution of the most prominent features of bats, powered flight and echolocation.