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Directions:Date:Read both articles about flying mammals. Then, list how they are alike and how
they differ on the lines below.Reading Comprehension • Saddleback Educational Publishing ©2002 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618•Phone (888)SDL-BACK•www.sdlback.com
In the animal kingdom, mammals are generally grounded. The
only mammal that can truly fly is the bat. The flying
squirrel is named for its appearance of flying. Unlike the
bat, which can move vertically, the flying squirrel can
only glide from a high place to a lower one. While
the bat has true wings—thin membranes of skin
stretched over long slight arm bones—the flying squirrel
has a furry flap of skin down each side of his body between the fully-formed front and
back legs. When the flying squirrel leaps, it extends all fours, and the skin flaps form a
kind of parachute, allowing it to glide gently through the air. Its tail is free and acts like a
rudder for steering when moved side to side.The flying fox is a type of bat, not a fox. Its name comes
from its long slender face and snout that resemble that of
a fox. It also has reddish-brown fur. About 60 varieties
exist. The largest has a head and body a little longer than a foot and
a wingspan of up to six feet across. It hangs upside down to sleep.
This bat eats mostly fruit and is also known as the fruit bat. That is a
better name for it. It spends its days hanging in trees with other bats.
At night, these bats leave their treetop roosts in droves to seek
banana, pawpaw, guava, and other fruit.
Unlike other varieties of bats that use echolocation to find food, the
flying fox uses its senses of sight and smell to find food. It lives in
tropical regions around the world, except South America. These bats
are especially common in Pacific regions.Alike Different