What mammals fly? The strangest flying animals What unites a bat and a flying squirrel.
Many animals fly, this is not surprising for those who live on Earth. However, there are many “flying” animals that are actually “versions” of other animals. You wouldn't expect your average rodent to fall out of the sky, let alone some of the other creatures on this list.
No, when we think of flying animals, we usually think of flies, birds and maybe bats. Even when many of these animals are right in front of our noses.
1. Flying squirrels
Okay, when you think of flying animals, flying squirrels almost immediately come to mind, or at least most of us have heard of them. But still, the closest we had was when we watched one of them hugging a stupid cartoon moose. In fact, the animal is quite strange, it seems that someone played a prank on the hamster and made him jump from the trees. Flying squirrels are world record holders for “flying” animals. It must be said that of all the animals that glide and are called flying, they have gone the furthest and cover up to 88 meters in one jump!
2. Flying Phalangers
So, if you have no idea who the Phalangers are, welcome to the club. They are members of the Australian opossum subfamily, which manages to survive the horrors of this island, causing total tenderness. I mean, that's what an adult would feel like. I can only imagine babies... Well, just look at him... If this is how we treat baby bears, then even grown men will scream and cry when they leave the toy store without one of these.
In any case, the most famous of the flying phalanxes is sugar glider, and the name makes it sound like he flies with the fairies and brings the laughter of kittens. They can glide between 15 and 45 meters and are probably the cutest creatures to ever fly. It's also the last thing on this list that could even be roughly described as "cute."
3. Hexwings
They are called six-wings because the name "terror that flies on the wings of the night" is too verbose. Or maybe because they are related to lemurs (the six-winged lemur is a flying lemur). Believe it or not, this creature is the closest thing to a primate without actually being one. They are also called colugos and are separated from bats, they are mammals and are most adapted for flight. As you can see, their limbs and tail are connected by pieces of skin that increase their body area, allowing them to glide better. They are obviously poor climbers, so they glide rather than fly, but are very maneuverable and can glide up to 985 meters with virtually no loss of altitude (most other “gliders” are more of a “controlled fall”).
Plus, they really look scary, and they most likely inspired stories of flying monkeys kidnapping children.
4. Flying lizards
I think lizards are small and cute in their own way. They often have big eyes, like deer, and rid the world of insects. However, what I also mean is that anything that drops on you unexpectedly from a tree is instantly frightening. The lizard pictured above is an Indonesian lizard of the genus Draco, whose name, you guessed it, means “dragon.” They are known for being able to glide up to 60 meters while losing only 9 meters of their original height. Unlike flying mammals, they don't have flabby skin stretched between their arms and legs for gliding, but they do have extended ribs, making them perhaps the only creature in nature to achieve super-strength while resembling a computer game character.
5. Flying kites
If you're afraid of snakes, then you probably don't need to know that in some parts of the world they can slither through the forest canopy and land on you unexpectedly. They live in the same part of the world as the flying lemurs and the flying lizard, which makes me wonder if all the trees that grow there are so terrible that everyone avoids them so much?
Flying snakes are “mildly venomous,” meaning they have venom but it is not harmful to humans. Most likely, 90% of those who read this forgot about the “not dangerous to humans” part and focused on the fact that Southeast Asia and Indonesia are full of poisonous flying snakes. Life in this part of the world must be like a game of Trap.
6. Flying frogs
Finally, we finished the part about terrible animals, and moved on to just curious ones. Flying frogs appear to have evolved from several different lineages of frogs in most places in the world that have tree-dwelling tropical frogs. They developed their “parachute” ability as a way to evade predators. Fortunately, they are not like flying snakes and lizards, because frogs, even the size of a house, have their own charm.
The first described flying frogs were found in Malaysia and Indonesia, where they spend their lives dodging all other flying creatures. I can only imagine the skies of these countries, they probably look like mission control screens.
7. Flying fish
Okay, no more tree jumpers, the next ones live in the ocean. Flying from one tree to another is certainly impressive, but jumping out of the ocean and sliding 49 meters is amazing. Now the flying squirrels remain with their world record in the trees, but they have no comparison with the record of the flying fish. The record for long-term gliding for flying fish is 400 meters at a speed of 68 km/h! They achieve this range and flight speed by moving their tail 70 times per second and jumping out of the water. They can fly up to 6 meters vertically, and sometimes accidentally throw themselves onto ships.
These are impressive numbers for animals that are actually designed to swim throughout their lives and cannot even breathe air.
8. Flying manta rays
What kind of creature is 5 meters in diameter, weighs more than a ton and jumps out of the sea? It's a manta ray, of course! They can jump almost 2 meters out of the water. Now, there's danger here too: a woman in Florida was killed when a flying manta ray jumped into the boat she was sitting in and hit her, and they reach a weight of several hundred kilograms. Imagine being hit by a ton of flying fish. But, nevertheless, the YouTube video of these creatures is simply breathtaking.
9. Sliding Ants
So, there is a species of ant that flies with the help of wings, but what is so interesting about “sliding” ants? These are wingless ants that have many additional advantages, such as having good eyesight, living in tropical forests where there are floods, and finding food at the ends of branches. They also have a very durable body. When they fall from trees they focus on more light color trunk, not against the dark background of the forest, and then twist their head, legs and stomach to glide in free fall, and then grab the trunk. All these tricks help you avoid falling from trees and being eaten on the forest floor.
10. Flying squid
This is not PhotoShop, this is a real squid gliding above the surface of the ocean. Believe it or not, they actually exhibit behavior that suggests they actively maintain gliding, and may in fact not be gliders at all, but actually flying squids. They act very similarly to flying fish, using their abilities to avoid predators and sometimes fly onto ships.
Scientists don't know exactly how they manage to propel themselves out of the water and maintain flight, which adds a layer of mystery to the already strange fact that they are cephalopods that can rise into the air and glide. Flying fish can somehow be understood because we evolved from fish many centuries ago. But before that, the only mollusks that came onto land were snails and slugs. Therefore, it looks as if the fish skipped the amphibian and reptile stage and immediately jumped into the bird stage.
It is not surprising that many terrestrial animals are able to fly by nature. However, there are some animals that are simply "flying" versions of their relatives. We'd be surprised to see an ordinary rodent swooping down on us from the sky, not to mention a few others unusual creatures from the list below. When thinking about flying creatures, insects, birds and bats immediately come to mind. But from now on you can learn about some other rather strange animals that also got off the ground in a similar way.
Flying squirrels. Speaking of flying animals, let's start with the flying squirrel. Many people have probably heard about it, especially since there is even a cartoon “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” about this squirrel and moose. In reality, the animal is somewhat similar to a hamster, but looks strange due to its ability to jump from trees. Flying squirrels belong to the squirrel family, they set a world record for a “flying” animal. Here we mean precisely those who glide with the wind, and do not fly fully. The flying squirrel's maximum jump has been recorded to be 288 feet! If a person flew from a height of a 30-meter building and remained alive, he would probably become the hero of the evening news. The ability to fly in such animals is present due to the skin membrane between the front and hind limbs. The flying squirrel usually lives in the crowns of tall trees, from where it makes its flights. The direction of flight is changed by the membrane itself and the front paws, while the tail serves as a kind of stabilizer. Helping with landing.
Small flying phalanx. It's time to find out who the phalanger is. This animal belongs to the family Australian opossums. These creatures strongly resemble a cute fluffy toy. This phalanger is also called the sugar possum. The baby's body length is only up to 40 centimeters, with half of it being a bushy tail. For flight, the phalanger has a leather fold that extends from the wrist to the ankle. It allows the opossum to glide in the air for distances of 50 to 150 feet. Interestingly, phalangers are very vocal and can make sounds similar to the buzzing of a household appliance. Animals often communicate by barking among themselves. Phalanger can easily be called the cutest of the animals listed here. It is no coincidence that in North America it is kept as a pet.
Flying lemurs. Perhaps the verbose “Air-sail” would be suitable for the name of these animals terrible beast" But only these creatures are still direct relatives of lemurs. Believe it or not, this animal is a primate, our relative, although you can't tell from its appearance. Apart from bats, these are the most capable mammals for flight. Such lemurs are called caguars. As you can see, the tail and limbs are connected by membranes of skin. They expand during flight, increasing their area. The design of the membrane is more advanced than that of flying squirrels; it starts from the neck and ends with the tail. The animal itself becomes a kind of glider. These lemurs are not able to fly high, as they still glide down. And on the ground they move quite slowly. However, in the air they are very maneuverable and can move distances of up to 320 feet without loss of altitude. The caguar's body length is up to 43 centimeters, weight - up to 2 kilograms. Outwardly, these lemurs are so scary that they probably became the prototype for the fairy tale about flying monkeys stealing children.
Flying lizards. Many people consider lizards to be perfect creatures - they have large, intelligent eyes, and they hunt for harmful insects. But we should expect that the lizard will suddenly not hide from pursuit in the stones, but fly away! This refers to the Indonesian lizard of the genus Draco, which directly indicates its similarity to dragons. It is known that such animals can glide in the air for distances of up to 195 feet, losing only 30 feet of height. Unlike other flying mammals, this lizard does not have loose skin membranes between its limbs. In this case, the leathery folds are located on the sides of the body, supported by long false ribs. Lizards grow up to 40 centimeters in length, and they are found in tropical forests South-East Asia.
Flying snake. Those who are afraid of snakes should know that this danger can befall not only on the ground, but also in the air. They live in the same places as flying lemurs and lizards. This begs the question - what is going on in the local trees that some animals have developed the gift of flying from place to place? Flying snakes are relatively poisonous; their bite is not dangerous to humans. Most readers will not remember this fact, paying attention only to the fact that in Southeast Asia there are flying Poisonous snakes. Of course, there is no need to talk about flight here either. The snake glides in the air, and does it much better than a flying squirrel. As a result, the Chrysopelea snake species can travel distances of up to 100 meters in this way. To do this, the animal climbs a tree and coils itself up like a coil. Then it sharply straightens and forcefully launches itself into the air. Although these snakes are excellent at climbing vertical surfaces, the ability to fly is an additional protective function.
Flying frog. Flying frogs can be found on the islands of Kalimantan, Madagascar and Southeast Asia. They were able to develop their parachute ability to evade predators. In such frogs, between the front toes and hind legs there are well-developed membranes, and the fingertips have generally transformed into discs. When jumping, the frog spreads its strange fingers and uses them to glide downwards. Some flying frogs can move up to 12 meters at once! It was these amphibians that were the first to take to the air. Representatives of frogs usually live not in ponds, like their relatives, but in trees. There they build nests from their mucus, and can climb upward using suction cups on their paws.
Flying fish. Jumping from tree to tree while performing a short flight is one thing, but try flying while living in the ocean! But many sailors have long seen how fish fly over the side of ships. It turns out that they can cover distances of up to 1,300 feet at a speed of 42 miles per hour. To achieve this result, fish in the water move their tails up to 70 times per second, launching themselves out of the water and into rising air currents. The unusually large pectoral fins also help soar. The height of the rise is up to 20 feet; there have often been cases where fish simply jumped onto the ship. Such results are certainly impressive for animals that were originally designed to live in water, but cannot even breathe air. Flying fish live in the tropics and subtropics; there are 77 species of them.
Flying stingray. At 17 feet across and weighing over a ton, what else could jump out of the sea but a Mobula Ray stingray? This electric relative of the well-known sea devils can jump as much as 6.5 feet into the air. At the same time, in flight, the stingray performs various pirouettes and somersaults. Scientists still cannot explain this behavior of the fish. Of course, this behavior can even be dangerous to humans—one woman in Florida recently died when a heavy flying stingray fell on top of her in her boat. Imagine if several tons of fish fell on you at once.
Sliding ants. Species of ants with wings are quite common, what is so interesting about slithering ants? These wingless creatures meet certain requirements. They have good eyesight, live in tropical rainforests and find their food at the tips of branches. These insects are also armored. When falling from trees, they are focused on the lighter background of their tree trunk relative to the dark background of the rest of the forest. The ant then straightens its legs, head and abdomen, gliding through the air in a free fall, waiting to land on the next tree. They developed such abilities of insects specifically in order to avoid falling from trees and being eaten on the ground. Ants that glide through the air are 85% more likely to land on a tree than species that only know how to fall. This is how nature preserves these clumsy insects, equipping them with superpowers.
Squid. The photo of a squid flying over the ocean is not the work of Photoshop at all. Believe it or not, there are actually examples of behavior that indicate squids flying over the sea. Although this phenomenon can be called a miracle of nature, in essence there is nothing surprising here. Today, a section on flying squids can be found in any popular book about these cephalopods. It is known that young individuals of some species living in the world can fly. top layer seas. It has been recorded that squids can fly up to 60 meters, rising to a height of up to 6 meters. But usually they prefer to fly directly above the surface, not rising above a meter. These abilities, similar to those of flying fish, help squids hide from predators. For a long time, scientists could not completely understand the mechanism of flight of these mollusks. In the end, it became clear that squids spread a special membrane above the water, which allows them to create an additional wing. At the same time, the mollusk does not need to accelerate to high speeds at all.
You may not know this, but there are many animals that are able to float in the air and at the same time do not have the ability to fly.
True flight is when an animal can move through the air without outside help, even for a long time. For an animal to fly, it must have wings. Living organisms that can truly fly are able to control their direction, speed, and altitude as they move through the air. Such animals include: insects and bats.
But there are also some animals that can float through the air. It is similar to flying, but with less control, shorter duration and shorter distances. These animals use certain body parts to help them float through the air.
In this article, you will learn about 9 representatives of the animal kingdom that defied the laws of gravity.
Flying fish
There are more than 60 species from the family Exocoetidae. These incredible creatures have developed the ability to leap out of the water and glide in the air to avoid predators. Some individuals were able to stay above the water for 45 seconds.
Mobula
Mobulas are another example of flying fish. Their pectoral fins are fused to the head and resemble wings in appearance. And although these fish are able to jump out of the water to a height of about 2 m, they stay in the air for only a few seconds, and then hit the water with a roar.
Black-footed copepods
Aerial gliding has evolved at least twice among families of tree frogs, and some species have learned impressive aerial maneuvers such as turning and yawing. Frogs have acquired these abilities through enlarged toes, which can act as parachutes or wings when the animal moves its limbs while jumping.
Flying also gives tree frogs advantage. Since they live in trees most of the time, they can glide between them and not go down to the ground.
Flying squirrels
As many as 44 species of squirrels have been given fluffy membranes of skin that extend from their wrists to their ankles, giving the animals remarkable freedom to float through the air. Their navigation in the air is impressive. They are able to change the direction of flight using subtle movements of specially adapted wrist bones. Flying squirrels also use their tails as an air brake.
Flying dragons
Lizards of the genus Draco make unusual use of their costal bones, which support the wide folds of skin on the sides of the body. Instead of using them to protect their bodies, these arboreal reptiles use them as wings. Some species have been known to make flights up to 60 meters long with little loss of altitude. Other species of lizards, including several species of geckos, have evolved additional folds of skin along their tail, head, body, toes and limbs, allowing them to glide from one tree to another.
Caguanas
Although kaguanas are sometimes called flying lemurs, they are not true lemurs. Found soaring between trees in the Southeast, kaguans are the best adapted flight species except for bats. For some time they were considered a close living relative of bats, although they are now classified as primates.
Kaguanas can soar in the air for a distance of about 70 meters without losing altitude. This is an impressive feat, as they are comparable in body size to opossums.
Pacific squid
Although it sounds like something out of a horror movie, it's true: there are squids that can jump out of the water and float in the air. One species is the Humboldt squid. This is a large one that is known to be aggressive towards people. Although, if you see him flying, it is most likely an attempt to escape from a threat, and not a way to attack a person. Flying squids perform flight just like flying fish, only they use their mantles like wings.
Marsupial flying squirrels
Although they are often confused with flying squirrels, marsupial flying squirrels are squirrels that evolved their furry membranes independently of squirrels. Some types, such as sugar marsupial flying squirrel, have become popular exotic pets. Like other marsupials, these animals can only be found in New Guinea, where most species are endangered.
Aeronautical spiders
It could be worst nightmare any arachnaphobe, but many spiders can fly. However, unlike other flying animals, spiders have aerial skills because they weave specialized parachutes from their silk. Few adult spiders rely on such balloons for regular travel, but juveniles of many species use this method to leave nests and build webs in remote places. Spiders were found on their balloons at an altitude of almost 5000 meters above sea level!
Decorated tree snakes
Some tree snakes have evolved the ability to flatten themselves, turning their body into a concave wing. Their aerodynamic motion is similar to that of a frisbee, and they can fly up to 100 meters. Their ability to fly is so unique that it has attracted the interest of physicists who want to understand how these snakes can glide through the air. Snakes have been observed making sharp 90-degree turns while hovering.
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In this article we will not talk about birds, since everyone knows that they can fly, but about other animals that have mastered the airspace. Flying animals have existed for a long time, in this way they save their lives and get their own food. Below are the TOP 10 flying animals.
Our children love to fly! First, dad throws them up to the ceiling, then they start jumping up and down on the beds.
Flying animals - which animal can fly?
Pterodactyl
Flying animals photos – Pterodactyl
Today this creature is impossible to find, but there was a time when it dominated the airspace. Giant reptile lived during the Cretaceous and Jurassic period. Throughout the day, pterodactyls hovered in the sky next to water sources, and when it began to get dark, they went to rest in the dark forests. Just like modern bats, pterodactyls slept upside down.
Flying animals photos – Flying squirrel
If someone is chasing a squirrel or it needs to overcome a large space, it straightens its small legs, under which there is a special fold designed for flight. At this time, the squirrel's tail becomes something like a rudder. The flying squirrel can fly a distance of 60 meters.
Flying animals photos – Flying fish
Unfortunately, to meet this miracle in fresh waters impossible, since flying fish live only in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, in the eastern part Pacific Ocean or in the Mediterranean Sea. If the fish pick up a high enough speed, their flight can be 50 meters above the water. Thanks to this ability, fish can safely run away from their pursuers. Flying fish can fly thanks to their elongated ventral and pectoral fins.
Flying animals photos – Mobula
Another fish that nature has awarded with the ability to fly. This giant fish can fly thanks to its massive “wings”. Mobula weighs about a ton, so many people jokingly call it the big bird planets. The maximum distance that a fish can fly above water is 2 meters.
Flying animals photos – Squids
Not all types of squid can fly, but there are some that have this ability. Cephalopods living in the surface layers can fly. Thus, they escape from pursuit. Squids develop good speed, as a result of which they break out of the water and, spreading their wings, fly like an airplane. Their maximum speed is 50 meters, and the flight altitude can reach up to 6 meters.
Flying animals photos - Ants
Many may be surprised to see an ant on the list of flying animals. In fact, few people have seen how ants fly, but they also have this ability. In early spring young males and females have small wings that allow them to fly long distances in search of their homes. As soon as the flight is successfully completed, the partners will bite off each other’s wings, and the female will start creating new ants.
flying frog
Flying animals photo - flying frog
To meet this beauty who can fly, you need to go to Asia, because that’s where these babies live. The copepod is the only frog that can fly. The fact is that between its fingers there are special membranes that allow the frog to make long jumps exceeding 12 meters.
Flying snake
Flying animals photo - flying snake
As it turns out, snakes can fly too. True, not all snakes can do this, but only one species belonging to the snake family. Fortunately, these snakes are absolutely non-venomous, so flying is just a means of escape for them from their pursuers. In order to take off, the snake pushes well with its tail, and its entire body rushes in the required direction. At the moment of flight, the snake’s body becomes very thin, and thanks to its movements it can fly up to 100 meters.
flying lizard
Flying animals photo - flying lizard
You can meet flying lizards only in eastern Asia. The lizard reaches 40 centimeters in length, has a flattened body and is very a long tail. On the sides of the lizard there are false ribs connected by skin folds. When they open, they turn into wings. At first glance, it may seem that it is not a lizard that is flying, but a small dragon. The maximum distance that a lizard flies is 60 meters.
Flying animals photo - bat
Of all the animals in this rating, the bat is the most famous. There are many legends about mice, writers describe them in their horror films, and some simply keep them as pets, despite the fact that they are not adapted to life in captivity. Bats feed on insects, some drink blood, and there are others that consume only flower nectar.
Among the many species of mammals, only bats have full active flight. But there are three species of mammals that are capable of soaring in the air for considerable distances. These include flying squirrels, woolly wings and flying gliders (phalanges).
As you know, many animals that live on tree branches (for example, monkeys) prefer to move by jumping from one tree to another. This allows them to avoid the danger that awaits them on the ground. However, this option is only applicable to mammals living in dense tropical forests. But representatives of the fauna of the woodland have special adaptations - leathery membranes between the hind and forelimbs, allowing the animals to fly long distances.
Everyone has heard of the flying squirrel as an animal that can fly. Flying squirrels are found in Europe, North America, Asia and even Africa. These animals are relatively small compared to other types of squirrels. Their body length is about 130 mm. Flying squirrels - inhabitants forest areas, nests are built in tree hollows. They feed mainly on buds, seeds, leaves and young bark. Sometimes they descend to the ground in search of berries and mushrooms. The flying squirrel race also includes animal food: insects, bird eggs. It is extremely rare to spot a flying squirrel in the forest, since the animal comes out late at night to feed. Before making its flight, the flying squirrel climbs to the top tall tree, pushes off, straightens its leathery membranes and plans. The bushy tail allows it to turn in the air. The flying squirrel always lands slightly below the starting point of the flight on all four legs, after which it climbs back to the top and continues on its way. The range of one such flight may vary, but as a rule does not exceed 100 m.
Flying squirrels living in Europe are represented by the Siberian flying squirrel species. This small animal also inhabits some areas of Asia and India.
Flying squirrels North America They are slightly smaller in size than their European relatives and unite two families - northern and southern flying squirrels.
African flying squirrels are very different appearance. Their skin membrane is attached to the elbow joint, not the wrist. They are also called scale-tailed squirrels.
The second group of animals that can fly are flying possums. These are marsupials that can be found in Australia and New Guinea. They are very reminiscent of flying squirrels in the structure of their leathery membrane and long fluffy tail.
There are 3 known groups of flying possums. The first consists of the smallest representatives, whose weight barely reaches 
130 g. For their passion for sweets, the animals received the name sugar possums or honey gliders. The animals are gray in color and have white bibs on their backs. In New Guinea, eyewitnesses have repeatedly noticed how these babies deftly grab moths in flight.
Representatives of the second group are called feather-tailed gliders. Their characteristic feature is a tail similar to a bird's feather. These mouse-sized animals can be found in both Australia and New Guinea. They feed mainly on insects and flower nectar.
The third group consists of only one species - the large flying possum. Weight Limit males can reach 1.5 kg. These flying animals are close relatives of the koala and inhabit the eastern regions of Australia. The diet of the great flying possum is predominantly plant food(leaves and buds of eucalyptus).
Rough-winged lemurs, or flying lemurs, are found in southern China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Locals call them kobego or kulugo.
The woolly wing has more advanced flight adaptations than the flying squirrel. Their leathery membrane connects the neck, fingertips and tail. Therefore, when an animal floats in the air, it resembles a small flying carpet. Female flying lemurs are gray in color, while males are chocolate brown and reach the size of a small cat. Woolwings come out to feed at night and feed on tree fruits, leaves and seeds. During the day, the animals rest, hanging on a branch with their heads downward, like bats. The female always gives birth to one baby, which hangs on her chest, firmly clinging to the fur, even during flight. The incredible thing is that woolly wings cover up to 136 m in the air, flying from one tree to another.
