Flying Squirrel
ExploreMammals
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
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Aerial Acrobat
Flying Squirrel can glide through the air because of a unique skin flap between its limbs that helps them travel long distances between trees.
Ability
Night Vision Gazer
Flying Squirrel has huge, reflective eyes that help them see in the dark while searching for food at night.
Ability
Steering Tail
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Gliding
Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you ever see a flying squirrel, admire them from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Flying Squirrel?
12-20 cm
What is Flying Squirrel's wingspan?
25-35 cm
How much does Flying Squirrel weigh?
0.05-0.15 kg
How long does Flying Squirrel live?
3-6 years
How fast can Flying Squirrel move?
35 km/h
What does Flying Squirrel eat?
These omnivores munch on nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and even insects.
Where is Flying Squirrel usually found?
Forests
How does Flying Squirrel hunt?
Foraging
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