Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
A flying animal for humans to fly on?
Topic Started: Aug 6 2010, 03:57 PM (2,723 Views)
Dean
Infant
 *  *  *  *
Do you think an animal that humans can use to fly on could have evolved?

If so, what kind of animal would be the most suitable for this purpose and what divergence would a world containing this animal would need to take from ours, in order for this animal to evolve?


If humans began flying on this animal about the same time humans in our world started riding horses, how would this affected human history?


Obviously, this animal would need to be strong enough to achieve powered flight with an average adult human riding it, tame enough in it's undomesticated state that humans would even try riding one, and it would need to be at least as smart as a horse, or at least as smart as to co-operate with the human who rides it.

What are your ideas?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Yorick
Member Avatar
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Great topic. I used to read "Dinotopia" books as a kid, and I loved the pictures of humans riding on Skybax.

I suppose if man wanted to touch the sky even earlier, they could have bred condors, the only very large flying animals in the world in Man's age, into beasts of burden and warfare.
"I believe, that whatever doesn't kill you, simply makes you...stranger"

-The Dark Knight (2008)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pando
Member Avatar
Obey or I'll send you to the moon
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
I don't think birds and their weak flying system could ever support a human. A giant pterosaur or bat on the other hand might, since they have extra wingspace and the legs actually help flying.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dialforthedevil
Member Avatar
Frumentarii Administrator

And also most animals would probably throw you off if you tried jumping on them...
I guess it would be like a rodeo with horses but 100m off the ground
Please come visit A Scientfic Fantasy http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/3433014/1/

ALSO!!! JOIN THE NEW RPG SITE!!! FOR ALL MEMBERS!!! IM GOING TO RUN MA GLOBAL SIMULATORS THERE!!! http://s4.zetaboards.com/jasonguppy/index/

Join the Campaign to save minotaurs from extinction!!! (include this in your signature to show your support!)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Scrublord
Member Avatar
Father Pellegrini
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Yorick
Aug 6 2010, 04:19 PM
Great topic. I used to read "Dinotopia" books as a kid, and I loved the pictures of humans riding on Skybax.

I suppose if man wanted to touch the sky even earlier, they could have bred condors, the only very large flying animals in the world in Man's age, into beasts of burden and warfare.
I always found it amusing that the Skybax act NOTHING like real Quetazalcoatlus, i.e. not being terrestrial stalkers.
My Projects:
The Neozoic Redux
Valhalla--Take Three!
The Big One



Deviantart Account: http://elsqiubbonator.deviantart.com

In the end, the best advice I could give you would be to do your project in a way that feels natural to you, rather than trying to imitate some geek with a laptop in Colorado.
--Heteromorph
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
They also look nothing like the real deal.

I suppose azhdarchids would be the most apropriate aerial mounts, but on the air it would be hard as hell to mount one; while you can affod to lay your legs on the horses' sides, you can't do so with a broad patagium flapping up and down.
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kamidio
Member Avatar
The Game Master of the SSU:NC
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Perhaps there could be a special saddle.
Edited by Kamidio, Aug 7 2010, 08:39 PM.
SSU:NC - Finding a new home.
Posted Image
Quotes
WAA
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Provided it doesn't add too much weight, which would be damaging for the animal
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


Their are flying mounts in In The Courts of the Crimson Kings called Paiteng that resemble eagles and sound possible. They had been breed over millennia for flight on a terraformed Mars.

On the moon any shmuck could fly under their own power, so riding about on a flying animal would not be so hard, aside from bumping into the ceiling.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
xaritscin
Member Avatar
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
the point is that the weight added by the person would be too much for the total weight so it would be impossible to fly.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Sliver Slave
Member Avatar
I'm going back to basics.

In low gravity environments? Possible, maybe, though it would have to be bred to do so.
Something is upsetting the ostriches.

Spoiler: click to toggle

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lamna
Member Avatar


On a asteroid you could just hold onto a chicken and let it pull you along.
Living Fossils

Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural


34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
[flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash]
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dialforthedevil
Member Avatar
Frumentarii Administrator

Well whats the point if you have the technology to fly to the moon to breed an animal to fly you around when you have freaking space craft!??!?
Please come visit A Scientfic Fantasy http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/3433014/1/

ALSO!!! JOIN THE NEW RPG SITE!!! FOR ALL MEMBERS!!! IM GOING TO RUN MA GLOBAL SIMULATORS THERE!!! http://s4.zetaboards.com/jasonguppy/index/

Join the Campaign to save minotaurs from extinction!!! (include this in your signature to show your support!)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Sliver Slave
Member Avatar
I'm going back to basics.

Lamna's idea is the point for having those spacecraft.
Something is upsetting the ostriches.

Spoiler: click to toggle

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SIngemeister
Member Avatar
Hive Tyrant of the Essee Swarm

dialforthedevil
Sep 2 2010, 05:06 PM
Well whats the point if you have the technology to fly to the moon to breed an animal to fly you around when you have freaking space craft!??!?
Carbon neutrality?
My Deviantart

RRRAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Alternative Evolution · Next Topic »
Add Reply