So, my son Dominic built a bird house and hung it at his grandmother's house in a tree. One weekend while visiting he noticed something had built a nest in it. He was very excited. When I came to pick him up he wanted to show me.
So when I got there we quietly snuck up to the bird house to take a peak. I saw something little and furry, was almost positive it wasn't a bird.So I got a little closer to take a look. Next thing I knew there was a big eye ball staring back at me from inside the house. I got a little spooked and started quickly walking to the house calling my step dad. It turned out to be a flying squirrel. At first I thought he was just making it up but sure enough it was true. Pretty amazing, I never knew there was such a thing. For Dominic that was a big deal. A flying squirrel built a next in his bird house. Awesome!!! Of course he had to tell everyone. I don't ever think we will actually be able to capture a picture of one so we included some info down below.
Description
Flying squirrels are not capable of powered flight like birds or bats; instead, they glide between trees. They are capable of obtaining lift within the course of these flights, with flights recorded to 90 meters (295 ft).[2][3] The direction and speed of the animal in midair is varied by changing the positions of its two arms and legs, largely controlled by small cartilaginous wrist bones.[4] This changes the tautness of the patagium, a furry parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle.[4] It has a fluffy tail that stabilizes in flight. The tail acts as an adjunct airfoil, working as an air brakebefore landing on a tree trunk.[5]
The colugos, Petauridae, and Anomaluridae are gliding mammals, which are similar to flying squirrels, because of convergent evolution.A few mammals can glide through the trees, but they do not actually fly (like birds and bats). They have a membrane of skin on either side of their body.
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