Welcome! How far can a flying squirrel glide? Is it true that they can jump more than 50 meters? Discover this and other interesting facts in this article.
Flying squirrels are small, nocturnal mammals with excellent night vision. They measure between 20 and 30 cm and weigh approximately 250 grams. These animals can be found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Their fur can have shades of brown, gray, or even reddish tones.
Why can flying squirrels "fly"? They have an elastic skin membrane called a patagium, which connects their limbs to their body. This allows them to glide through the air.
An interesting fact is that they use their tails to change direction while gliding and perform aerial maneuvers. They also have a highly developed sense of hearing and large eyes that help them navigate the air. They can accurately judge distances.
The bones of these animals are hollow and lightweight, giving them a low body weight. Flying squirrels have highly developed shoulder muscles, which allow them to launch themselves powerfully into the air.
Like other squirrels, they have very sharp incisors. Their teeth and claws help them access hard-to-reach food sources, such as cracks in tree bark. Their diet includes fruits, insects, nuts, hazelnuts, bird eggs, and seeds.
Did you know that there are different types of flying squirrels? In fact, there are 44 species. The northern flying squirrel inhabits North America and has soft fur to withstand the cold. Southern flying squirrels are smaller and more social, they even share nests. They are found in the southeastern United States.
Japanese dwarf flying squirrels, as their name suggests, are known for their small size. They primarily live in Japan’s subalpine forests.
Since they glide from tree to tree, they prefer forests with dense vegetation and plenty of trees. Their nests are made of leaves or built inside tree hollows.
Another fascinating fact is that they are considered aerial animals because, in addition to gliding, they can also jump up to 80 meters. The maximum distance a flying squirrel can glide is 90 meters.
The life expectancy of a flying squirrel is quite low, about six years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity. Their main predators are birds of prey and snakes. The gestation period of flying squirrels is only 39 days.
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