The Extraordinary Rapidity of the Flying Squirrel Flying squirrels can be the least known type of squirrels that dwell in United States. Their name, flying squirrels can be easily misunderstood that they can fly like bird. The fact is like other classes of squirrels, they can not fly. However, they feature parachute-like folds of skin to help them link their front and back legs that enables them to slide over great long distances. Moreover, they are nocturnal animals. Habitually, when the dusk comes and most of other creatures are asleep, they escape fromt their hidding home in hollow trees and old logs to frolic and play. The body and tail are shaped quite flat; the latter, being nearly as long as the whole body of the animal, serves as a sort of rudder when executing aerial gymnastics. Big, dark-colored eyes guide them in their nightly excursions. Our southern ones are much smaller than their red or gray cousins, measuring only from eight to nine inches from tip to tip. Clad in rich soft fur, brownish above and pure white below, they are indeed beautiful creatures as they play about woodland homes. The chief diet of flying squirrels consists of small nuts and seeds, many night-flying insects, and they are particularly fond of the larger moths. Like most wild creatures flying squirrels are susceptible to kindness and respond readily to good treatment, and make exquisite pets. A friend of mine had six. At night they would take to the trees to romp and forage. At daybreak they would return to their cage, curl up among the dry leaves, and take a well-deserved nap. When sleeping they assume a most remarkable pose with their body bent in a circle, the head resting at the base of the tail, which, in turn, covers face, neck and back so that they resemble tiny puffballs of fur. They seem to like company and are usually found in small bands. My own observations indicate that flying squirrels hibernate, at least in southern Ohio. For several years I have had a band under observation. There were about twelve in the troop and they had a den in the hollow trunk of a large oak tree. Every night from early spring until late in autumn they would come to our foodboard for birds to enjoy the peanuts and other tidbits they knew were waiting there for them. As soon as the first cold weather ushered in the winter they would den up in their quarters in the old oak tree, interrupting hibernation only when the weather was mild to take a swing through the bare woods. I have seen and heard them as late as December but never from then on until early next spring where they were in evidence. Among their enemies the owls are, perhaps, the mosl formidable, with their skill in hunting when night covers the earth. However, the uncanny swiftness of the flying squirrels gives them an even chance, and although I have never witnessed the capture of a flying squirrel by an owl, I have found a lone tail of one as silent evidence. David is the author of many articles including Best Friend Quotes and also the author of Best life quotesother articles:FBI agent requirements Cruise line employment
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:29:43 +0000
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