Animals That Can Fly But Aren't Birds

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5 August 2024

There are several animals that can fly in ways other than birds

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These animals have evolved various adaptations to achieve flight or gliding capabilities, showcasing the diversity of airborne creatures beyond birds

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Some, like flying lizards and frogs, use gliding as a means of transportation, while others, like insects and bats, generate lift and thrust to achieve sustained flight

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1. Bats are mammals that are capable of sustained flight. They have wings formed from a thin membrane of skin stretched between elongated finger bones

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2. There are over 60 species of flying fish, which have large pectoral fins that allow them to glide through the air, reaching heights of up to 6 feet

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3. Flying Squirrels have a special membrane of skin called a patagium that stretches between their front and hind limbs, allowing them to glide from tree to tree

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4. Flying Frogs, found in Southeast Asia, have webbed feet and large, aerodynamic hands and feet that enable them to glide between trees

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5. Also known as Draco lizards or flying dragons, Flying lizards have elongated ribs and flaps of skin that they extend to glide from tree to tree

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6. Some species of snakes, such as the paradise tree snake, are capable of flattening their bodies and gliding through the air by undulating in an S-shape

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7. Colugos, also known as flying lemurs, have a membrane called a patagium that stretches from their face to their tail, allowing them to glide through the air with incredible agility

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