Flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of water into air, where their long, wing-like fins enable gliding flight for considerable distances above the water's surface. This uncommon ability is a natural defense mechanism to evade predators.

Cypselurus callopterus (Ornamented Flying Fish)

Flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of water into air, where their long, wing-like fins enable gliding flight for considerable distances above the water's surface. This uncommon ability is a natural defense mechanism to evade predators.

Animalia Chordata Actinopterygii Beloniformes Exocoetidae beautyfin flying fish

Author(s)Jane Thomas
Author CompanyIntegration and Application Network
Date Created2009-01-01
AlbumFauna > Fish
TypeSymbol
Dimensions503 x 168
Filesize25.7 kB (svg)   37.2 kB (png)
Number of Downloads692
Filetype(s) SVG     PNG
LicenseAttribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Required AttributionJane Thomas, Integration and Application Network (ian.umces.edu/media-library)