Language
Country/Area
No result found
How do these squirrels turn so easily in mid-air? Learn about their amazing flying skills!
Flying squirrels (Pteromyini or Petauristini) are actually a tribe of 50 species of squirrels in the family Sciuridae. Despite their name, flying squirrels do not have full flight capabilities like birds or bats, but they do glide between trees using membranes (patagium) that extend from their wrists to their ankles. The long tail helps stabilize their movements during gliding.
"Flying squirrels are able to control their flight path in mid-air, primarily through the use of their limbs and tail."
Flying squirrels are physiologically similar to other squirrels, but they possess some unique adaptations, such as longer limb bones and shorter hand, foot, and tail vertebrae. With these особенности, the squirrels can control the direction and speed of their sliding by changing the position of their limbs while sliding. Those small, cartilaginous wrist bones give them lift when they fly, a special structure not found in other gliding mammals.
Sliding skills and advantages
Flying squirrels can glide up to distances of up to 90 metres (300 ft), controlling their aerial movements by changing the position of their limbs. Proper placement allows the patagium to be adjusted in tension, like a fluffy parachute, further enhancing their gliding abilities. This gliding technique allows them to gain energy efficiency between trees and quickly find food, which is a highly advantageous strategy in the competition for survival.
"Gliding is an energy-efficient way for squirrels to glide from tree to tree while searching for food."
Evolution and evolutionary history
The latest molecular biology research on flying squirrels shows that they originated about 18 to 20 million years ago. These studies also indicate that flying squirrels are a monophyletic group and have a close ancestral relationship with tree squirrels. Compared to other squirrels of similar size, flying squirrels have increased length in the lumbar vertebrae and forearms, but their foot and hand bones are shorter. These differences in body proportions show the evolutionary adaptations that flying squirrels have made for gliding.
Daily Life and Reproduction
Flying squirrels are usually active at night. They feed on fruits, seeds, insects and tree sap, and their superior physical ability is shown in their foraging. As for reproduction, the first half of the year (February to March) is their breeding season, and the mother squirrel will carry her newborn cubs with her until they are able to live independently. The mother takes great care of her cubs in the first few weeks. After five weeks, the cubs begin gliding training and leave the nest after ten weeks.
"During gliding, flying squirrels are able to move quickly and flexibly between trees, which is an important skill for them to evade predators."
Gliding Colors and Lighting
Interestingly, flying squirrels were found in a 2019 study to have fur that glows pink when exposed to ultraviolet light. It's still unclear what the actual purpose of this feature is, but the discovery suggests that flying squirrels may have a special function in the ecosystem that has yet to be revealed.
ConclusionWhether it's eating, gliding or reproducing, flying squirrels display remarkable adaptability and flexibility. With their specialized physiological structure, they can not only glide gracefully between trees, but also effectively avoid predators and find food anytime and anywhere. This unique ecological adaptation makes us wonder, how many amazing biological tricks in nature are waiting for us to explore and understand?
