What was the first living creature in space?

The first living creature in space was indeed fruit flies. On February 20, 1947, a V-2 rocket was launched from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, carrying a payload of fruit flies. The purpose of this experiment, known as the "Fruit Fly Experiment," was to test how living organisms would react to the extreme conditions of space. The fruit flies were chosen due to their fast reproduction rate and ability to withstand various environmental conditions. This marked the beginning of a long line of experiments involving different organisms which eventually led to human space exploration.