9 Amazing Animals Besides Birds Believed to Fly in the Sky!

Kapanlagi.com - When we talk about flying animals, birds often come to mind first. They are indeed famous for their incredible ability to soar in the sky.

However, did you know that there are several other animals that also have the ability to fly even without wings? Interestingly, some of them even spend most of their lives in the air!

From various sources that Kapanlagi.com quoted on Monday, February 17, 2025, let’s explore together some amazing animals believed to fly like birds. Prepare to be amazed by the wonders of this animal world!

1. Flying Snake

In the lush forests of Western India and the Indonesian archipelago, there exists an amazing creature called the flying snake from the genus Chrysopelea, which can stretch up to 4 feet long.

With impressive gliding skills, these snakes demonstrate agility far exceeding that of flying squirrels and colugos.

Typically hiding in the treetops, they boldly leap from branches to evade predators or hunt prey.

While gliding, their concave bodies function to catch air, allowing them to stay airborne longer, while their agile undulating movements enable them to turn gracefully.

2. Flying Fish

Flying fish, or commonly known as Mobula rays or devil rays, are amazing creatures from the genus Mobula that are closely related to manta rays.

With a wingspan of up to 5 meters, these rays can gracefully leap up to 2 meters into the air, creating a stunning spectacle.

Although they cannot fly like birds, flying fish possess an extraordinary ability to travel long distances, returning to the water with spectacular and energetic movements.

3. Colugos

Colugos, often misinterpreted as flying lemurs, are actually not relatives of lemurs at all!

With a skin membrane connecting their limbs and tail, colugos have an extraordinary ability to glide over 230 feet without losing altitude.

This nocturnal creature, living in trees, relies on a vegetarian diet that makes it even more unique among other animals.

Who would have thought, behind its bat-like appearance, colugos hold amazing special features!

4. Wallace's Flying Frog

Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus), the king among flying frogs, hails from the stunning tropical forests of Malaysia and Borneo.

With extraordinary skills, this frog spends most of its life in the trees, only coming down to the ground to lay eggs or find a mate.

When jumping from branches, they utilize the webbing between their legs to glide gracefully up to 15 meters, either to avoid danger or while hunting for delicious insects.

5. Flying Squid

The Japanese flying squid, an amazing marine creature, has pectoral fins that resemble wings, giving it a unique charm in its appearance.

Although these fins are not propulsion tools, they serve as stunning gliding devices.

Found in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, they inhabit areas around Japan, Russia, China, and Alaska, making them one of the marine wonders worth noting.

6. Flying Squirrel

The flying squirrel, an interesting member of the Pteromyini tribe, consists of more than 50 fascinating species.

Although they cannot fly like birds or bats, these squirrels have an extraordinary ability to glide gracefully between trees, covering impressive distances.

With a unique adaptation of loose skin and muscles connecting their legs, some species can glide up to 1,500 feet!

Active at night, they begin their adventures by jumping from the tops of trees or cliffs, cleverly controlling their direction and speed of flight through body position changes and utilizing small cartilages in their wrists.

7. Flying Fox

The flying fox, or more commonly known as the old world fruit bat, is an amazing creature that inhabits tropical islands and mainland Asia, distinguishing itself from other bats with its ability to navigate through sight and its love for fruits.

The smallest species in this group, such as the long-tongued nectar bat, measures only 2-3 inches with a wingspan reaching 10 inches, while on the other hand, the golden-crowned flying fox, the giant of the bat world, can have a wingspan of up to six feet and is often targeted by humans.

Their diversity and uniqueness make flying foxes one of the natural wonders that deserve to be preserved.

8. Flying Fish

This fish is a true sea acrobat, with extraordinary pectoral fins that allow it to leap from the water's surface and glide at an astonishing speed of up to 37 mph!

With incredible power, this fish soars upward, then swings its fins to glide over 600 feet and reach heights of up to 4 feet, as if dancing in the air.

9. Bats

Bats, unique flying mammals in the order Chiroptera, come in a stunning variety of sizes, ranging from the tiny bumblebee bat weighing only 0.07 ounces to the golden-crowned flying fox that can weigh up to 3 pounds!

With a varied diet, they become skilled insect predators, sweet fruit enthusiasts, fresh nectar lovers, and some even dare to feast on animal blood. This diversity makes bats one of the most fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom!

(kpl/rao)