Reptiles

what reptiles can fly


Reptiles that Can Fly

Whether snakes, lizards, turtles, and other reptiles can fly may surprise you; however, some can glide through the air. Here’s a look at the reptiles that can surmount the boundaries of the ground:

Flying and Gliding Lizards

Though no lizard species can truly fly, some can glide through the air. This “flight” is powered by a flap of skin that extends from their bodies, functioning as a sail as they fall. This adaptation is most common in several genera, including:

  • Draco lizards
  • Putilator lizards
  • Agamids lizards
  • Anoles lizards

Flying and Gliding Snakes

Like lizards, snakes glide through the air instead of actually flying. Aerial snakes use specialized ribs located near their mid-bodies to act as wings, aiding them as they glide sometimes two hundred feet or more. The snake species Chrysopelea (the golden tree snake) holds a world record for gliding and is the only known species capable of this feat.

Fish Out of Water

Visually, flying and gliding turtles may look the most impressive. “Flying” or “gliding” turtles exist in species hailing from Southeast Asia. They have large webs of skin between their limbs and body, allowing them to spread out and catch the air. As they fall from the branches of trees, they can glide up to several hundred feet.

Though it’s incredible that reptiles can defy gravity in this way, it’s worth noting that the adaptions that many species have advanced are vital to the survival of the species. And while they may not be flying in the traditional sense, the species discussed above are amazing in their own right.

Thank you for reading this article about reptiles with the capability of flying or gliding in the air!

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