The first creatures to fly were insects, long before dinosaurs even lived. Insects have either two or four wings that move very fast when they fly. Insects can move forward, stay in one place (hover) like a helicopter, or even fly backwards. Insects live everywhere in the world.

Birds are the best fliers. Everything in their body is just right for flying. They are lightweight. Feathers make their bodies smooth, so they can go through the air easily. They eat the right foods to give them lots of energy. They have good eyes to see far away. Birds live everywhere in the world.

Bats are the only mammals that can fly. They do not have feathers like birds. They have wings that are like our arm and finger bones with skin stretched in-between. Bats are good for the earth because they eat lots of insects. Bats like to live where it is warm. They are nocturnal. Nocturnal means that they are active at night.

For many years man tried to fly. Flying looked so easy and fun. People are not strong enough to fly like birds. Man had to invent the airplane before we could fly.

Explore Space ... Not Drugs!
Hear what astronauts have to say about staying drug-free.
Last modified: Mon Jul 7 11:01:53 PDT 1997