While there are many "flying squirrels" in lands south of the equator, there are only two look-alike varieties in North America the northern, living mostly in Canada and about the size of a common gray squirrel, and the southern, slightly smaller and living in the forests of the eastern United States.
Their name in Latin means "gray mouse that flies," and because of their amazing movements through the air, in some places they are known as "fairy diddles." Actually, a more realistic name would be "gliding squirrels," for they do not actually fly but, as we will explain in the next article, they have special bodies which enable them to make great leaps between trees.
Unlike the gray and red squirrels, familiar to most of us, that are active during the daytime, both the North American "flyers" are active at night, which accounts for the fact that they are seldom seen, and people are often unaware that they are in the neighborhood.
These squirrels do not hibernate, but if the weather gets unusually cold, a dozen or more will keep warm by snuggling together in a nest until the weather warms up enough to resume their activities.
These closely related little animals are alike in many ways. They all tend to have grayish-brown backs and white stomachs. Their pretty fur is thick and silky, and their chins have long whiskeks. They also all have flat tails nearly as long as the rest of their bodies and large ears, as well as big black eyes. It is plain to see how the Creator wisely provided these features to help them in their manner of night-time living.
They are playful creatures, chasing each other from tree to tree or scampering up the trunk, accompanied by loud squeals. When gathering nuts they sometimes stop their work and bat some around, apparently just for the fun of it. In fact, seeing their different playful ways, they seem to be one of the few animals that get much pleasure out of all that the Creator has done for them. They don't seem to take life seriously and have been seen exchanging kisses with their companions. However, on rare occasions when they become irritated, one might be spotted stamping its feet like a spoiled little child, or lying on its back kicking its feet in the air as if to pummel a real or imagined enemy.
In many Bible verses the wonders of the Lord God's creation are spoken of, such as the words of David: "I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works." Psa. 9:11<<To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.>> I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. (Psalm 9:1). There is real joy for all who, like David, do this with their whole heart. Do you?
North America’s Flying Squirrels
As mentioned earlier, the outstanding feature that makes these squirrels different from their more common relatives and the reason for their being called "flying squirrels" is their amazing ability to travel considerable distances through the air. Although they appear to be flying, they are actually gliding, which in itself is outstanding.
On the underpart of their bodies, not easily seen when scampering up a tree trunk or along a branch, is a loose flap of furry skin on each side attached to each front leg and stretching back to where it is attached to each hind leg. This forms a "kite" that enables the squirrel to glide from one tree to another or safely parachute to the ground from a high point.
How do they do this? A flight begins high in a tree with the squirrel first bobbing its head in every direction, apparently sizing things up before taking off. Then it makes the leap with all four legs spread as far apart as possible, stretching the loose skin into a tight kite. Its target will usually be a lower point on the trunk of another tree, sometimes nearly 100 feet away, but usually closer. Gliding through the air, its flat tail acts like a rudder to keep it on course and then is lifted straight up to also act as a brake just as it lands.
It always lands in an upright position with the claws of all four feet gripping the tree's surface tightly. It immediately scoots around to the other side of the tree before venturing further, an instinct the Creator has given it to preserve it from an owl or another enemy that might have seen it land.
Nests are usually a hole in a dead tree trunk, sometimes one abandoned by a former owner and freshened up with leaves, moss, feathers, etc. There the mother will raise up to half a dozen little ones, caring tenderly for them for a few weeks before introducing them to the pleasures of gliding. Her first task is to take them gliding, one by one. She grasps a baby's loose skin in her mouth while it holds on upside down with its legs wrapped around her neck. Don't you imagine that's quite a thrill for the little one? It is not long before they venture forth on their own, without need of gliding lessons, for they have been given a natural instinct for it by the Creator.
In the coming happy time when those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior will be in heaven with Him, they will happily exclaim: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11). Will you be in that happy group?