Birds may be the true flyers of the animal kingdom, but these creatures have found their own ingenious ways of soaring through the air

The propelling body of the flying fish

With a torso that’s streamlined to perfection and four wing-like fins, flying fish have evolved a remarkable ability to break the water’s surface, gliding through the air to escape predators. They build up speed underwater, angle themselves upwards then rapidly beat their tail until they reach the surface. This initial jump can carry them up to 200 meters (655 feet) and they can flap their tail off the surface to continue for 400 meters (1,312 feet) in total, leaving their predator far behind.

The semi-graceful, soaring mobula ray

Mobula rays bamboozle scientists with their acrobatic displays, but it is still not understood why they leap out of the sea. These animals are related to sharks but have longer, flatter bodies that are ideal for swooping through the air as high as two meters (6.6 feet) above the waves. Landings are less graceful though, ending in a loud belly-flop.

The frog that chooses air travel to avoid predators

Found in the dense, tropical jungles of Malaysia, the Wallace’s tree frog lives almost exclusively in the trees, and getting around quickly without being eaten is no easy task. This ten-centimeter (four-inch) long amphibian leaps from one tree to another by splaying four webbed feet, and its funky oversized toe pads helps it to make a soft landing and stick to tree trunks.

The southern flying squirrel is a natural glider

The flying squirrel is an elusive creature, but is instantly recognizable from its gliding membrane, the flap of loose and stretchy skin extending from its wrist to its ankle. This little mammal soars through the trees to avoid predators, and has its flight paths perfected, using slight movements of its legs to steer, and its tail as a brake.

The flying dragon is not just a mythical monster

The Draco lizard needs to avoid the forest floors of its Southeast Asia habitat, where predators lie in wait for tiny reptile snacks. Instead, the Draco has evolved to take to the air, using a set of extended ribs covered in a generous layer of skin. They can unfold these appendages to form ‘wings’ and glide up to nine meters (29.5 feet) through the air, steering themselves with their long tails.