Flight is one of evolution’s greatest inventions. Birds and insects may dominate the skies, but they’re far from the only creatures to take to the air. Over millions of years, other animals have developed remarkable adaptations that allow them to glide, soar, or even “fly” for short bursts.

Let’s explore some of the most fascinating flying and gliding animals on Earth.

Flying Fish

Flying fish are true escape artists of the sea. With wing-like pectoral fins, they can launch themselves out of the water and glide through the air for up to 45–50 seconds. Reaching speeds of nearly 70 km/h and heights of 6 meters, these fish use flight as a survival tactic to evade predators.

They belong to the family Exocoetidae and live in warm tropical and subtropical oceans, usually in the sunlit epipelagic zone, less than 200 meters deep. It’s a bustling, dangerous environment teeming with predators—so flight becomes a lifesaving skill.

Bats

The only true flying mammals, bats (order Chiroptera) are agile fliers, often more maneuverable than birds. There are around 1,200 bat species worldwide, ranging from the tiny bumblebee bat—just 29 mm long—to massive fruit bats, or flying foxes, with wingspans up to 1.7 meters.

Most bats are insect-eaters, providing a natural form of pest control. Some feed on fruit, while a few species—the infamous vampire bats—drink blood. Their guano is prized as fertilizer, and in some parts of Asia and the Pacific, bats are even considered a delicacy.

Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels don’t truly fly, but they are master gliders. A furry membrane called the patagium, stretching from their necks to their ankles, allows them to leap from tree to tree, steering with their limbs and bushy tails.

These nocturnal acrobats have been gliding through forests for about 20 million years. In the wild, they typically live up to six years, but under human care, their lifespan can extend to 15.

Flying Snakes

It sounds like something from mythology, but flying snakes (Chrysopelea) are very real. Found in Southeast Asia and parts of India and China, these mildly venomous snakes flatten their bodies and undulate through the air, gliding from treetop to treetop.

They don’t just drop—they can control their direction mid-air, preying on lizards, birds, and even bats. Watching one in motion is like seeing a living ribbon dance across the sky.

Flying Lizards

Also known as flying dragons, these reptiles glide with the help of extended ribs covered in thin skin flaps that function like wings. Found in the forests of Southeast Asia, they can glide up to 60 meters while losing just 10 meters of altitude.

Males use colorful throat flaps for stability and display. Females only descend to the forest floor when it’s time to lay eggs—depositing a small clutch, guarding it for a day, and then leaving the hatchlings to fend for themselves.

Flying Foxes

Flying foxes are the giants of the bat world. With wingspans of up to 1.5 meters, these fruit bats live in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Their fox-like faces, large eyes, and small ears give them their name.

Fossil evidence suggests they’ve existed for at least 35 million years. Unlike insect-eating bats, flying foxes feed mainly on fruit and nectar, playing an essential role in pollination and seed dispersal.

Japanese Flying Squid

The Japanese, or Pacific, flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) is a master of jet propulsion. Found across the northern Pacific, it can launch itself out of the water and glide for up to 30 meters, using its fins and tentacles to stay airborne.

Juveniles feed on plankton, while adults hunt small fish. Their aerial escapes help them avoid predators—but also make them one of the ocean’s most surprising flyers.

The Wonder of Flight Beyond Birds

From gliding mammals to airborne reptiles and fish that leap into the sky, these creatures show that flight is not limited to wings and feathers. Evolution has found many solutions to the challenge of moving through air—each one as fascinating as the next.