Flying squirrel is a small rodent known for its ability to glide from tree to tree. Flying squirrels are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (active at night). The flying squirrel has a furry membrane (flap of skin) that stretches from its neck to its ankles. It glides by spreading the membrane like a parachute . Broad movements of its limbs and long, flat tail help control flight and landing. A flying squirrel can cover more than 150 feet (45 meters) in a single glide.
There are more than 40 species (kinds) of flying squirrels in the world. Two species, the northern and southern flying squirrels, live in North America . The northern flying squirrel lives in forests across Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States south to cool mountain areas of California and North Carolina. The southern flying squirrel lives in the eastern half of the United States, from the Great Lakes south to Florida. North American flying squirrels measure about 13 inches (33 centimeters) long.
During the day, flying squirrels rest in trees, birdhouses, and attics. They eat a variety of food, including buds, nuts, and seeds as well as bird eggs and insects. In addition, they feed on fungi and lichens. Flying squirrels play a major role in forest ecology . In digging up and storing mushrooms, they help to spread fungi spores throughout the forest. Several species of large owls, of foxes, and of martens are among the animals that prey on flying squirrels.
A North American flying squirrel female gives birth once or twice a year. Flying squirrel young are born hairless, blind, and deaf, but develop quickly. At about two months old, they start venturing outside the nest. By late summer, flying squirrel young fully master their gliding skills. North American flying squirrels can live three to six years in the wild.
