How Much Do You Know About Animals That Fly?

By: Becky
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

How much do you know about animals that fly? Take this quiz to find out.

Sure, you know that birds fly, but did you know that there is also one mammal that can truly fly? Although most animals (other than birds) don't actually fly, they glide, we think of many creatures as being able to fly. Flying foxes are actually fruit bats, and yes, they can fly. Bats are the only mammal that can do so. Flying squirrels, flying lizards and flying fish can't fly, but they sure look like they do.

And, although many insects can actually fly, others are said to fly, when, like many other creatures, they actually glide. Still, some insects, whether they can actually fly or glide, are completely terrifying, and we don't want to be anywhere near them.

Even humans can fly. Sure, we need help, but who's to say that's not ok? Since the beginning of time, humans have sought flight. Even as far back as ancient Greece and Rome, humans have dreamed of flight. We don't have feathers or wings, but we certainly have managed to get ourselves into the air.

Do you think you can name every flying animal in this quiz? Let's get started to find out.

What flying mammal is thought to be related to vampires?

Some people associate bats with vampires. This association probably started because some bats feed on blood.

What nocturnal creature might be found in Madagascar?

Flying lemurs aren't actually lemurs, they're colugos. Colugos are like flying squirrels in that they don't truly fly, they glide.

Which of the following birds cannot fly?

Penguins can't fly. It is, however, thought that they may have once been able to do so.

What type of creature was Pegasus?

Pegasus was a winged stallion. Although not a real animal, we though we'd include him in this quiz, just for fun.

What slithering reptile is capable of flight?

The Chrysopelea is a type of flying snake. Like many other "flying" creatures, they glide rather than actually fly.

Which of the following is one of the largest of the flying birds?

The albatross can have a wingspan of up to 12 feet. There are more than 20 different species of albatross.

What green pond friend can be found in Alfred Russel Wallace's 1869 book, "The Malay Archipelago"?

Wallace's flying frog was the hit of the book. Flying frogs glide; they don't actually fly.

What creature flies with fins, not feathers?

Exocoetidae are a family of fish known as flying fish. Although they actually glide, they can soar at speeds of up to 37 mph.

What creature has suckers on its arms?

Flying squid, called Ommastrephidae, are common all over the world. They "fly" by propelling themselves out of the water.

What creature was featured in Charlotte's Web?

Remember how Charlotte's babies parachuted away on little threads? This is called ballooning.

What flying creature can actually fly in place?

Hummingbirds can fly in place. The smallest hummingbird weighs less than one ounce.

What insect does not breathe fire like its namesake?

Dragonflies have been around for millions of years. The largest dragonfly lived 350 years ago and had a wingspan of about 30 inches.

What flying creature is said to bring babies?

Although they do actually fly, storks glide quite frequently because it helps them conserve energy. The largest stork is the marabou, or undertaker, stork, which can be as large as 20 pounds.

What is the fastest of all flying animals?

The Peregrine falcon is the fastest of all flying animals. It can easily reach speeds of 200 mph or more while diving.

What insect looks to be too heavy to fly?

Bumblebees are definitely not aerodynamic, but they manage because of the way their wings work. Bumblebees create tiny cyclones when they fly, which is how they get those large bodies into the air.

What animal can fly the highest?

The bar-headed goose has been known to fly as high as Mount Everest. That's more than 29,000 feet high.

Which flying sea creature may have been related to Jaws?

Flying sharks don't really fly. They build up speed when they see a creature on the surface of the water that they would like to eat. As they grab their prey they leap out of the water, making them seem like they are flying.

A flying fox is actually a what?

A flying fox is actually a fruit bat. They are the largest of the bats, making them look more like foxes than their bat cousins.

What marsupial takes to the wind from time to time?

Flying phalangers include sugar gliders and five other species. They are found in Australia.

What animal might you find in your back yard, raiding your bird feeder?

Squirrels don't actually fly, they glide. However, they can get some awesome lift from those flaps of skin that serve as "wings."

What flying creature might sting you?

Bees sting as a way to protect the hive. Bees are related to wasps and ants.

What creatures are said to be able to survive a nuclear explosion?

Cockroaches are not immune to radiation; they can just withstand more than humans. Actually, the fruit fly can withstand even more radiation than the cockroach.

What flying creature starred in "The Wizard of Oz"?

Yeah... monkeys can't fly. That stuff only happens in the movies.

What ocean creature was responsible for Steve Irwin's death?

Manta rays, a type of stingray, engage in what is called "breaching," which looks like flying. Breaching is lunging or leaping out of the water.

Which of the following birds can't fly?

Ostriches can't fly. They are the heaviest and tallest of the flightless birds.

What lizard might have been named after young Mr. Malfoy from Harry Potter?

The Draco lizard flies with the help of sizeable flaps, but they are not capable of lift like birds are. We wonder if Draco Malfoy really was named after this lizard.

True or False? Chickens can't fly.

Chickens actually can fly. They just cannot do so for extended periods of time.

Which of the following flying animals is the U.S. national bird?

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. Once an endangered species, the bald eagle is no longer considered threatened.

What lizard might star in a Geico commercial?

Flying geckos are common in Southeast Asia. They "fly" with the help of flaps behind their legs.

What is the only mammal that can really fly?

Bats are the only mammal that can actually fly. Other mammals that are said to fly are actually gliding, not flying.

What Winnie the Pooh character can fly?

Owl is considered the most intelligent of all the animals in the wood, but he really isn't. Owls in real life also aren't the wise creatures we think them to be - their eyes take up too much headspace.

What Thanksgiving staple can fly at speeds of up to 55 mph?

Wild turkeys can fly at speeds of up to 55 mph. Most domesticated turkeys, however, can't remain in the air for very long.

What bird flies both above and below the surface of the water?

Puffins are sea birds. They "fly" under water by beating their wings as if they were in the air.

What creature flew in the myth of Icarus?

Humans certainly weren't designed to fly, but we've been managing to do so for a while now. Of course, unlike the other creatures in this quiz, we need outside help.

What rainforest dweller lives in a colony?

Only the queen ant has wings. The worker ants, however, can control a fall by gliding.

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