"Flying Squirrel" is an amazing animal in the world. We know animals that are capable of flying–birds and winged-insects, but do you familiar with a mammal that also can fly?
The flying squirrel is that one animal that can sail like flying through the treetops with their stretchy membrane and rudder-like tail, preventing predators from catching them.
Although this type of squirrel does not literally fly, it can glide for about 450 meters (almost 1.500 feet), as have been recorded for the gliding distance of giant flying squirrels.
Some flying squirrels in some regions such as India weigh 1 to 2.5 kg or equal to 2.2 to 5.5 pounds and have a body length around 30 to 55 cm or equal to 12 to 20 inches and a tail around 35 to 64 cm long.
The smallest flying squirrels are those who dwell in northern Borneo and the Malay Peninsula which just around 7 to 9 cm long for their bodies, and 6 to 10 cm long for their tails. The glides of flying squirrels in the tall trees of the tropical rainforest can be mistaken as large butterflies.
Their nests are created from fallen leaves, mosses, lichens, as well as shredded bark. They eat seeds, fruit, leaves, flower buds, nuts, fungi, lichens, pollen, ferns, insects (spiders), other invertebrates, small birds, eggs, snakes, and smaller mammals depending on which species of flying squirrels. From the top of the tree, the flying squirrel leaps into the air and stretch the membranes, making their body a gliding tool that is managed by its membranes and tail.
Just before the squirrel ends the glide, it pulls upward, landing perfectly on all four of its feet. The membranes are pulled back to the body when not in use.
Speculations are coming from several researchers that Pteromuinae is not a single group but members from two separated class of tree squirrels or possibly not related with squirrel ancestors at all.
The evidence is gathered through fossils and the anatomy of the wrist and their gliding membranes, nevertheless, proves that all existing flying squirrel species are related and likely evolved from tree squirrel ancestor during 33.7 million to 23.8 million years ago.
Flying squirrels are hairless at birth, and most of their senses are not there yet. The internal organs can be seen through their skin, and their sex can be indicated. They will be fully developed by the week five; they will be then able to respond to their surrounding environment and start to develop their mind.
They start practicing gliding and leaping in the upcoming weeks. Finally, in the next two and a half months, after their gliding skills are developed and perfected, they are so ready to leave the nest and ready to live on their own.
That’s an overview of flying squirrels. They live best in their habitat, but some people love to keep them as a pet. If you decide to have one, please take a good care of them.
The flying squirrel is that one animal that can sail like flying through the treetops with their stretchy membrane and rudder-like tail, preventing predators from catching them.
Although this type of squirrel does not literally fly, it can glide for about 450 meters (almost 1.500 feet), as have been recorded for the gliding distance of giant flying squirrels.
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| Flying Squirrels; An Amazing Things in the World |
Identification
Flying squirrels have wide eyes and are long-limbed and slim. Their fur is soft and long and has silky or wooly texture.Some flying squirrels in some regions such as India weigh 1 to 2.5 kg or equal to 2.2 to 5.5 pounds and have a body length around 30 to 55 cm or equal to 12 to 20 inches and a tail around 35 to 64 cm long.
The smallest flying squirrels are those who dwell in northern Borneo and the Malay Peninsula which just around 7 to 9 cm long for their bodies, and 6 to 10 cm long for their tails. The glides of flying squirrels in the tall trees of the tropical rainforest can be mistaken as large butterflies.
Natural History of Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrel is one of the squirrel types that is nocturnal, unlike the other squirrels. They reside in tree cavities, grottoes or rocks on cliffs, and cave ledges. Some flying squirrels establish globular nests on the top of the trees where branches join the trunk.Their nests are created from fallen leaves, mosses, lichens, as well as shredded bark. They eat seeds, fruit, leaves, flower buds, nuts, fungi, lichens, pollen, ferns, insects (spiders), other invertebrates, small birds, eggs, snakes, and smaller mammals depending on which species of flying squirrels. From the top of the tree, the flying squirrel leaps into the air and stretch the membranes, making their body a gliding tool that is managed by its membranes and tail.
Just before the squirrel ends the glide, it pulls upward, landing perfectly on all four of its feet. The membranes are pulled back to the body when not in use.
Classification and Evolution
Pteromyinae is the subfamily of flying squirrels and within the order Rodentia. Few species of anomalure (gliding mammals in Africa) are known as scaly-tailed flying squirrels though these rodents are still part of the family Anomaluridae.Speculations are coming from several researchers that Pteromuinae is not a single group but members from two separated class of tree squirrels or possibly not related with squirrel ancestors at all.
The evidence is gathered through fossils and the anatomy of the wrist and their gliding membranes, nevertheless, proves that all existing flying squirrel species are related and likely evolved from tree squirrel ancestor during 33.7 million to 23.8 million years ago.
Reproduction of Flying Squirrels
The mating season for flying squirrel is always during February and March. When the baby flying squirrels are born, the females live with them in maternal nest sites. They nurture and protect them until they are mature enough to leave the nest, while the males do not involve in the nurturing process of their your generation.Flying squirrels are hairless at birth, and most of their senses are not there yet. The internal organs can be seen through their skin, and their sex can be indicated. They will be fully developed by the week five; they will be then able to respond to their surrounding environment and start to develop their mind.
They start practicing gliding and leaping in the upcoming weeks. Finally, in the next two and a half months, after their gliding skills are developed and perfected, they are so ready to leave the nest and ready to live on their own.
That’s an overview of flying squirrels. They live best in their habitat, but some people love to keep them as a pet. If you decide to have one, please take a good care of them.
Flying squirrel Facts
Flying squirrel is a type of squirrel best known for its ability to "fly". There are about 50 different species of flying squirrel that can be found all around the world. Best known are North American and South American flying squirrel which inhabit north and south part of America and Canada. They can be found in deciduous, coniferous or mixed type of forest. Flying squirrels are not endangered.Unique Facts About Flying squirrel :
- Flying squirrel usually reaches 12 inches in length (including the tail) and weighs between 4 and 6.5 ounces.
- Males and females look alike. Fur on their backs and sides is brown to grey, and white on the belly. Tail is flattened and large. It is used as a rudder when they glide through the air.
- Although they are known as "flying squirrels", they do not actually fly - they glide through the air. Special type of the furry membrane (called patagia), stretched between wrists and ankles, serves as a parachute which supports squirrel while jumping from tree to tree.
- Babies are hairless and blind. Their ears are closed and toes are fused. Ears will open after 2 to 6 days. After 6 days, toes will separate from each other. Fur starts to grow after 7 days and their eyes finally open after 24 to 30 days.
- Average lifespan of the flying squirrel in the wild is between 4 and 5 years and between 10 and 15 years in the captivity.
- Main predators of flying squirrels are raccoons, coyotes, owls, foxes, snakes, birds, cats and dogs.
- Flying squirrels use their thick paws as cushion for landing. When they land on the tree, they climb as high as possible to prepare themselves for another jump.
- Flying squirrels are nocturnal (active at night) creatures. Large, bulging eyes help them see in the dark.
- Flying squirrels are omnivores (eat both meat and vegetation). They like to eat different kind of food: slugs, snails, mice, eggs, small birds, mushroom, berries, seed, nuts, tree bark, flowers…
- Unlike other squirrels, flying squirrels form a single hole in the nut shell to reach the meat inside it. Other squirrels break the whole shell to release the hidden meat.
- Flying squirrels may share their dens with other animals such as bats and screech owls.
- Mating occurs early in the spring and sometimes late in the summer. Flying squirrels usually produce one litter per year. Gestation period (pregnancy) lasts 40 days and female gives birth of 2 to 7 babies.
- Flying squirrels do not hibernate, but they slow down their activity during winter. Since the food sources are scarce at that time of the year, they survive mostly by eating food collected during the previous year. Flying squirrels can collect up 15 000 nuts per one season.
- Flying squirrels can make 180 degree turns during gliding. Longest recorded "flight" was 300 feet, but they normally travel much shorter distances than that. They usually glide between 20 and 30 feet.
- Flying squirrels are highly social animals. They live in the holes in the trees, such as those made by woodpecker. A large group of squirrels can share a single hole. Squirrels conserve their energy through life in community.