Sunday, November 14, 2010

Flying Squirrel

We went out for a walk in the woods late yesterday.  It was so pretty out and the temperature was in the mid 50's.  Perfect hiking weather.
During the hike, we saw a flying squirrel!
This is the first time I've seen a flying squirrel, so I had to get a picture.  We didn't see him "fly", he just ran up the side of a tree and sat there for us.  He thought he was camouflaged.



Flying squirrels are not capable of sustained flight; instead, they glide between trees.  The direction and speed of the animal in midair is varied by changing the positions of its arms and legs.  This changes the tautness of the patagium, a furry parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. It has a fluffy tail that stabilizes in flight. The tail acts as an adjunct airfoil, working as an air brake before landing on a tree trunk.

23 comments:

Leigh said...

Aren't flying squirrels the neatest looking little critters? We had a pair living in our chicken and goat shed last winter, before we got chickens and goats. I think they vacated when we did the roof repairs and stall making. Too much banging and pounding, I'm sure.

Terry said...

When I was a child in Delaware, my parents raised and released a nest of orphaned flying squirrels. They are beautiful creatures, and I haven't seen one in decades.

Farm Girl said...

How wonderful and you got a good picture of its face. I saw them "flying" once when we were on vacation. It just amazed me to watch them go from tree to tree. I do love hiking and seeing such cool things.

Genny said...

I think they're adorable. When I lived in NC, we had one that would visit our bird feeder at night. Their eyes are huge. They look like little Dakin toys.

Gail said...

I love these little guys. They have been enjoying our pecans.

Gail said...

Forgot to say, great shot, they are hard to capture.

Verde Farm said...

That is just the coolest thing! I have heard of flying squirrels but never seen one. He is a cutie. I would love to see him glide :)
He reminds me of the pet phenomena...sugar gliders. Have you heard of those? Pocket pets they are also called. Super cute.
Amy

CaliforniaGrammy said...

I don't think we have such critters in California. How fun to actually get a shot of one!

Knatolee said...

WOW! I have always wanted to see a flying squirrel. Lucky you!! Love the pic.

Carla said...

I've never seen one in the wild. How wonderful that you even got a picture of him.

John Going Gently said...

just caught up with your blog!!
bloody hawks....
luckily we only have buzzards here and they leave the poultry alone!!!

I have one new guinea! a female so I am now up to 4!!!!
love the squirrel too!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dawn said...

Oh how neat! I have never seen one before, but always picture them actually flying in the air flapping:)))
Would love to see one glide:) They have huge eyes!!

Great capture!!

Razzberry Corner said...

Leigh - Yes, they are pretty neat looking little critters! They probably were upset with your reapirs - you closed up their entry in the got shed!

Terry - wow, pretty neat that your parents raised a nest of these little guys! I bet you loved them as a child!

Farm Girl - I hope to see them flying in the trees, too!

Genny - They do look like little toys! :)

Gail - You've seen them, too! It seems everyone has seen them before except for me!! :D

Amy - Ah, I'm not the only one who hasn't seen one of these little guys before! :)

California Grammy - next time I come out to the west coast I'll bring one of these little guys in my pocket - we can release him so he can start an entire new breed out there!

Knatolee - I was so shocked to see the squirrel. I actually thought it was a HUGE lizard when it first ran up the side of the tree! Randy laughed at me!

CeeCee - Thanks! I certainly was surprised to see this guy. It was getting dark and I was watching wild turkeys as they nested in the trees. Then this guy ran up the side of a tree near me. I thought it was a lizard. I snuck up to him, and it was no lizard!

John Gray - Congrats on the new guinea! I'm behind on my blog reading, too! I really love my guineas, they brighten up the farm so much!

Dawn - I would love to see them glide, too! Maybe if I keep looking for them, now that I know they're out there, I'll see one! I'll bring my camera and try to catch a video!! :) Wouldn't that be cool!

~Lynn

Robin said...

Are you serious?? That is way too cool!!

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