Page 41 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Flying without wings

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 metres (655 feet) and they can flap
their tail off the surface to continue for
400 metres (1,312 feet) in total, leaving
their predator far behind.

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