When we think of flying animals, birds are usually the first to come to mind. However, there are actually a few mammals that are capable of flight as well. The most well-known flying mammals are bats, which make up the order Chiroptera. Bats are the only mammals that are truly capable of sustained flight, thanks to their wings made of a thin membrane of skin stretched between elongated fingers.

There are over 1,400 species of bats, ranging in size from the tiny bumblebee bat to the large flying foxes. Bats are incredibly diverse in their habitats and behaviors, with some species feeding on insects, fruit, nectar, or even blood. They are found all over the world, except for in extreme desert and polar regions.

Some other mammals are capable of gliding rather than true flight. The most famous of these is the flying squirrel, which is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Flying squirrels have a flap of skin called a patagium that stretches from their wrists to their ankles, allowing them to glide from tree to tree. Another gliding mammal is the colugo, also known as the flying lemur, which is found in Southeast Asia. Colugos have a similar patagium to flying squirrels, but they are actually more closely related to primates.

There are also some marsupials that are capable of gliding, such as the sugar glider in Australia and the flying phalanger in New Guinea. These animals have a similar patagium to flying squirrels and colugos, but they are not closely related to either group.

While bats are the only mammals that are capable of sustained flight, there are several other mammals that have evolved the ability to glide through the air. These flying and gliding mammals have adapted to their aerial lifestyles in a variety of ways, making them some of the most fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom.

If you want to learn more about flying mammals, you can visit National Geographic for more information.

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