In the introduction to its exhibition “Bats!,” the Peabody Essex Museum writes that the creatures are not only misunderstood but have “come to symbolize good and evil.” Children tend to associate them with Halloween and know little of their importance to ecosystems the world over. The informative “Bats!” is a useful antidote, not least because this informational and interactive show has a colony of Egyptian fruit bats on display. Though most of them will be sleeping during viewing hours, they can be observed from a viewing bubble. Contemporary art, collection objects, and pop-culture items supplement the live subjects. —Jack Sullivan