Southern Flying Squirrel

Glaucomys volans

The Southern Flying Squirrel is a small, cute animal that glides through the trees. With its big eyes and fluffy tail, it loves to play and explore at night!

Hábitat: Forests

Aspecto

The Southern Flying Squirrel has soft, dense fur that is brownish-grey on its back and sides, contrasting with a pure white belly. It features large, dark eyes for nocturnal vision and a flattened, bushy tail. A distinct loose flap of skin, called a patagium, extends between its front and hind limbs.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseMammaliaOrdenRodentiaFamiliaSciuridaeGéneroGlaucomys

Southern Flying Squirrel

Categoría

Mamíferos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Southern Flying Squirrels sometimes eat birds' eggs or even baby birds for protein!

These tiny gliders steer themselves by moving their wrists and ankles while airborne!

They huddle together in tree holes during winter to stay warm, sometimes 20 squirrels!

They use their bushy tail like a parachute or rudder for incredible mid-air control!

Habilidades especiales

Southern Flying Squirrels can glide gracefully between trees thanks to a special skin membrane, allowing agile, controlled flight.

It has large, dark eyes that collect maximum light, helping it navigate and find food easily in the dark of night.

Southern Flying Squirrels are incredibly nimble climbers, able to cling to bark and make quick maneuvers in the forest canopy.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 21-26 cm
Envergadura: 20-25 cm
Peso: 0.05-0.08 kg
Esperanza de vida: 3-6 años
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Tamaño de la camada: 2-7
Gestación: 37-41 días

Dieta y alimentación

An omnivore, it enjoys nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects.

Alimentos principales

Nuts (acorns, hickory)
Seeds
Fruits
Fungi
Insects (moths, beetles)
Bird eggs

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

A frequent nocturnal predator of flying squirrels.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Nocturnal predator that raids nests in tree cavities.

depends on

White Oak

Quercus alba

Relies on acorns from oak trees as a major food source.

shelters

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

Often uses abandoned woodpecker holes for nesting and shelter.

Rasgos

Peludo

Peludo describe a los animales que poseen una cubierta densa de pelo o pelaje suave.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.