The Japanese flying squid ( Todarodes pacificus), also known as the Japanese common squid, is native to the north Pacific Ocean, specifically around Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the Bering Strait. Flying fish live on a diet of plankton, and are hunted by mackerel, tuna, swordfish, and marlin amongst other large fish. Once it nears the surface again, the fish can beat the lower lobe of its tail as it re-enters the water. Flying fish have been recorded stretching out their flights with consecutive glides spanning up to 400 metres. Scientists believe that flying fish evolved to glide so that they could escape predators. This method causes them to reach heights of 1.2 metres and glide as far as 655 feet. These fish can reach speeds of 60 kilometres per hour before taking flight, which they do by beating their tails whilst still below the surface. Some flying fish also have large pelvic fins and are known as four-winged flying fish. The fish gains lift and becomes airborne. At the right moment, large wing-like pectorals (which were held close to the body when the fish was submerged) are extended. Once the fish has broken the surface its elongatated lower tail lobe can still beat in the water, providing further thrust. This and their large tails allow them to build up speed as they approach the surface. They are shaped like a torpedo, which streamlines their bodies and lets them build up speed underwater so that they can break to the surface. There are 70 known species of flying fish. Habitat fragmentation, hunting and deforestation are threatening their numbers.įlying fish (Exocoetidae) live in warm ocean waters around the world. They have comb-shaped teeth, which some scientists believe may act as food strainers or scrapers, or maybe used for grooming to remove parasites from their fur. They are such skilled gliders that they can transport their babies on to their stomachs until they are old enough to glide on their own.Ĭolugos eat saps, leaves and shoots. Its lightweight skeleton and wide surface area of the patagium perfectly equip it for gliding.Ĭolugos have large eyes that give them brilliant depth perception, which helps them to glide between trees and land safely. The colugo's limbs and tail are long and slender, and its feet are broad and have strong, sharp recurved claws for climbing. Its membrane, the patagium, is like that of the flying squirrel except it starts at its face and covers its fingers and toe tips through to the tail. It's found in southeast Asia and is sometimes referred to as the flying lemur. The colugo ( Cynocephalidae) can glide for 100 metres or more between trees, making it one of the most skilled gliding mammal.
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