Flying Squirrel

Pteromyini

Flying squirrels are special squirrels that can glide through the air using flaps of skin between their legs. They are expert nighttime acrobats, soaring from tree to tree in search of food.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Flying Squirrel has soft, dense fur that is typically grey-brown on its back and white on its belly. Its most distinctive feature is a furry membrane, called a patagium, stretching from its wrists to its ankles, allowing it to glide. It also possesses large, dark eyes adapted for low-light conditions.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusPteromyini

Flying Squirrel

Interesting facts

Flying squirrels can communicate with high-pitched chirps and soft clucking sounds.

Some species of flying squirrels can glow a faint pink under UV light!

They build cozy nests, called dreys, inside tree hollows or abandoned bird nests.

They huddle together in groups, especially in winter, to stay warm and save energy.

Special abilities

Flying Squirrel can glide through the air because of a unique skin flap between its limbs that helps them travel long distances between trees.

Flying Squirrel has huge, reflective eyes that help them see in the dark while searching for food at night.

Flying Squirrel can use its flat, bushy tail as a rudder and brake during glides that helps them steer and land precisely.

Measurements & details

Length: 12-20 cm
Wingspan: 25-35 cm
Weight: 0.05-0.15 kg
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Litter Size: 2-7
Gestation: 37-41 days

Diet & Feeding

These omnivores munch on nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and even insects.

Primary Foods

Acorns
Hickory nuts
Fungi
Berries
Insects
Lichen

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

A silent, nocturnal predator that hunts flying squirrels.

eaten by

Long-tailed Weasel

Mustela frenata

A slender, agile hunter that can pursue squirrels into tree hollows.

eats

Oregon Truffle

Rhizopogon vinicolor

Helps disperse the spores of this underground fungus, aiding forest health.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Arboreal

Climb high with animals who love living in trees! These agile creatures find their food, shelter, and even raise their families among the branches.

Gliding

Watch as animals take a graceful leap and soar through the air without flapping their wings! They use special flaps of skin or body shapes to glide from one spot to another.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!