Flying squirrels

Glaucomys volans are non-winged, but can fly, they glide in the air like clever roller coaster. But it is very rare to see that breathtaking scene, because flying squirrels only work quickly at night.

Appearance: Slim, silky coat; big eye; The back is colored from light pink to brown; lower body is white or cream color; The tail is flattened and shaped like a feather. The front leg is connected to the hind leg with a fold of skin - this folds of skin open into a membrane that allows flying squirrels to fly in the air.

During the day, flying squirrels hide under caves or in trees. Occasionally, they occupy the nest of squirrels, woodpeckers, or other birds to make their own "property". Inside the nest, flying squirrels use soft bark, moss, lichen and fur to make a soft mattress.

For this Glaucomys volans, mating season takes place from February to March. After about 40 days of pregnancy, children can give birth to a litter of 2 to 6 juveniles in a warm nest. Young sows are breastfed for 10 weeks and must reach a certain size to fly from tree to tree.

Adult males have an average body length of about 25cm, tail about 12cm long, weighing about 79gam.

The flying squirrel can only fly up to 9m in one go, "glider" is just a skin film. When flying, they reach out to all 4 limbs to jump, expand their flying membranes (the skin membrane connects from neck to ankle). Usually, flying squirrels rummage through the tops of trees to find fruit, bark, lichen, mushrooms. They only fly out of the air when an owl or other hunter animal appears, threatening them.

Flying squirrels also eat insects, bird eggs and small animals. If they are not raising children, they often live alone in a group. However, many flying squirrels often congregate in an area with abundant food.

In the fall, they know how to store food in puffiness for winter use. When winter comes, although they do not hibernate, they become less agile.

Glaucomys volans squirrels are distributed in Central and Eastern America, in some areas in Mexico in temperate and sub-tropical forests.