There was a squirrel in Norse Mythology named "Ratatoskr," who ran up and down the world tree, Yggdrasil, carrying massages.
Also: I have no idea why the squirrel has a unicorn
horn, so don't ask.
November 17, 2015
October 3, 2015
October 1, 2015
September 23, 2015
September 22, 2015
September 21, 2015
Squirrely Fact #28
Squirrels use their tail as a blanket when it gets cold, and as an umbrella when it rains or snows.
Weekly Squirrel- The Flying Squirrel
This week's squirrel is... the Flying Squirrel (Pteromyini)!
Description
The Flying Squirrel is usually silvery grey to brown in color. Their underside is always white. Their head is brown, and they have huge, round eyes so they can see better at night. They have a furry flap of skin in between their fore- and hind paws, so that they can glide, hence their name, the Flying Squirrel. They are usually 8-12 inches long, from tail to nose. Sometimes they are called Gliders or Flyers.
Range
The Flying Squirrel is classified by two different types, depending on where it lives. The Southern Flyer lives in the eastern U.S., while the Northern Flyer lives in Canada, the northwestern U.S., and southeastern Alaska. They like to live in deciduous and coniferous forests. They make their dens in snags, nest boxes, abandoned woodpecker holes, and abandoned squirrel and bird nests.
Diet
Flying squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. The Flyer's diet includes: Seeds, nuts, fungi, fruit, and insects. Southern Flying Squirrels also eat eggs, birds, and carrion (personally, I like the Northern Flyers better- they don't eat that stuff). If you set out some sunflower seeds and wait until night, you may be able to find a Flying Squirrel, if any live in the area.
Behavior
The Flying Squirrel is nocturnal, and is only out at night. They can glide over 150 ft. To steer during their flight, they move their legs. By moving their right leg down, they go right, and vice versa. Predators of Flying Squirrels include owls, hawks, and climbing mammals (such as the domestic cat). Northern Flying Squirrels mate once per year and Southerns mate twice. The babies are born blind, furless, and deaf, and stay with their mothers for two months. They are not endangered, although you probably don't see them often. There is one subspecies of the Northern Flying squirrel that is endangered due to habitat loss.
Flying Squirrel leaping and landing
Some people keep flyers as pets! This one is wearing
the customary acorn hat
We humans like the flying squirrel's gliding abilities so
much that we have engineered a Wingsuit, so that we can
be one with the squirrels!
Check out this video of someone that has a Flyer as a Pet!
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