Flying squirrels are nocturnal rodents that can glide long distances through the air. Flying squirrels are native to forests in nearly all parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The animals range in length from a few inches to 3 feet, including the long flat tail. They have a rounded head, large eyes, and thick gray or brown fur marked with white underneath. Growing between the front and hind legs are fur-covered flaps of skin that support the animal in the air as it leaps from a tree with its legs spread out. A flying squirrel may glide more than 200 feet between trees, controlling the direction of its glide by adjusting the flaps of skin and the angle of its tail. Just before landing, it flips its tail upward to slow the speed of its glide.
Most flying squirrels live in hollow tree limbs, tree holes, or bark nests built among the branches. They usually come out at night to feed on nuts, berries, seeds, insects, tree buds, and sometimes young birds and bird eggs. Although the animals are inactive during cold or wet weather, they do not hibernate. Flying squirrels usually have one to six young in the spring.
