About Flying Squirrel: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior

The term fly seems bit indifferent when it comes to pure mammals. For years, people believed bats to be the only mammal that can fly. However, it is very clear that a kind of squirrel is actually able to glide, not exactly fly. Across the continents, these squirrels are found in 43 different classifications with Asia, North America & Europe being home to most of these creatures.

Appearance

Between each front & back limb, they have a special membrane which they use to glide from tree to tree, the view obviously is eye catching.

Life Cycle & Biology

These squirrels do not hibernate. In a season, it is said that they can collect up-to 15000 nuts. When food becomes scarce, they survive on the food that was collected the year before. They start mating in early spring. The pregnancy period carries on for about 40 days and the birth is given after that to about 2-7 babies. When born, babies cannot see and cannot move. Within 6-7 days, the feet start to separate from each other. It takes around 3-4 weeks for them to open their eyes. The can live for 10-12 years in captivity whereas they will last no longer than 5-6 years in the wild.

Diet

These squirrels will feed on both meat and vegetables. For them mushrooms, seeds, nuts, slugs, snails and berries is a great deal for meal.

Habitat

Flying squirrels like to stay inside woodpecker holes. They don’t mind sharing the holes with other partners such as bats. They will be mostly found in coniferous forest and deciduous woodlands.

Behavior

Squirrels are not a fighting animal and they will be found in multiples nesting together in winter if needed. They like to stay in humid, darker and mild forests. This mammal is pleasing to the eye when it glides and humans tend to like them a lot because of the cuteness.


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