Gliding is where after an initial leap, animals rely on gravity to get them where they are going. Gliding animals can steer, but they can't ascend on their flight path and don't propel themselves through the air under power. Animals as diverse as fish, squid, marsupials and snakes have all learned to glide, and may have evolved features to help to keep them airborne for longer, such as skin flaps on limbs. Flying snakes glide through muscular contraction. Some plants have winged seeds which are designed to glide as a means of dispersal.

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