[byyyy]

I'm serious.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paw

Look up the definition of a paw. I think you have a sort of mixed up definition of what it is. Possibly a different definition used among your "bat expert" friends.

And I quote (again):

   Paw: the foot of a quadruped (such as a lion or dog) that has claws
   broadly : the foot of an animal

Both the broad and technical definition of paw fits what the bat has. Bats have paws.

The thing you are referring to is likely are these soft pads that are often on the paws, sometimes called paw pads.

[byyyy]

Also, I don't know if you noticed.

But this nuance in the definition of the word paw was addressed by chatGPT.