The Earth’s stratosphere is similar to the open ocean, being a mostly barren desert devoid of complex life. It is not empty though, and in certain, special places it is rich in life.
Most Atmospheric life is small, with tiny floating microbes, balloon-like algae and nearly microscopic flying insects make up the majority of life up there. But with such a valuable resource left untouched larger animals have swooped in to benefit.
Hundreds of species of larger insect have adapted to the harsh conditions, from groups such as Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies), Syrphidae (Hoverflies) Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies) and Tipuloidea (Crane Flies). Though none of these species are very large even compared to their more terrestrial relatives due to the lower oxygen in their habitat. Spiders are also found in enormous quantities up in the stratosphere, by making silk ‘parachutes’ they are capable of staying aloft nearly indefinitely, other species such as the Joro Spider use this technique to migrate long distances, temporarily visiting the stratospheric realm. The larvae of most Stratospheric Lepidopterans also use this ballooning strategy.
The majority of vertebrate atmospheric life are bats, over 100 species of bat live their entire lives high in the stratosphere feeding on the vast quantities of insects.
Representatives of groups such as Swifts, Volaticotheria, can also be found in the Stratosphere
colonial Micro-organisms are also extremely common, forming into truly colossal creatures that float weightlessly in the thinnest parts of the atmosphere. They come in a myriad of forms ranging from Kite-like organisms to Atmospheric Jellyfish to Balloon Siphonophores (such as the Crawfordsville Monster), Airwhales and Giant Gliders.