Question
(a) What is a volant animal? How many types of volant animals are there and what are these? (b) Describe any three adaptive features of pigeons related to flight.
Answer
(a) Volant animals are those animals that are capable of sustained flight. There are two types of volant animals: powered flies, such as birds and bats, and gliders, such as flying squirrels and some lizards.
(b) Three adaptive features of pigeons related to flight are:
- Wing shape: Pigeon’s wings are broad and strong, allowing them to generate lift and stay in the air for extended periods of time.
- Light but strong skeleton: Pigeons have a lightweight but sturdy skeletal structure that allows them to maintain their shape during flight while also minimizing weight.
- Air sacs: Pigeons, like all birds, have air sacs that help them efficiently exchange gases during flight, which aids in their endurance and flight performance.
