What animal in the ocean kingdom can fly?
What a great question! As you know there are numerous seabirds that of course fly as well as feed and swim in the ocean. As for any marine organisms that live their entire lives underwater and depend on water to breathe, it is rare that they will fly in air. There are some fish species that “fly” in air. One type of fish called a Flyingfish that will jump with into the air and actualy glide in the air. Flyingfish have elongated pectoral fins that act like wings out of the water. A flyingfish does not truly fly, but glides through the air by catching air currents with their fins. They typically take off into the wind and travel for 30 seconds and as far as 400m in a series of up to 12 flights. Flyingfish can reach speeds as fast as 72km/hr when they are airborne and use air gliding as a way to escape predators. I am not familiar with any invertebrates that are able to “fly” in the air, but if you have heard of any I would love to hear from you! BACK TO BIOLOGY INDEX OR ANSWER FILE Plank
