It is easy to see how this animal got its name, even though it is not really a squirrel, nor does it actually fly. It makes its home high in the trees of Africa and is not seen very often because it is active mostly at night.
This pretty little fellow, which the Creator clothed in smooth, soft, mole-like fur, is about the size of an American gray squirrel. It has a bushy tail as long as its body, and it has been supplied with several special features for its survival.
The first of these features is its legs which are enclosed in a thin web. This makes them look like a kite when they are spread out. The web is attached to and supported by the head, body and tail, with leg and arm bones acting like reinforcing rods. It is by means of this web that it seems to fly.
Its method of climbing trees is very unusual. It looks like a huge measuring worm when climbing. Grasping the trunk with its front claws, it arches its body, pulling up both hind feet. Then, with the claws of the hind feet clinging tightly, the front feet let go and move upward. In spite of this seemingly awkward way of climbing, it moves quickly up the tree. It is helped in its climb by a number of tough scales covered with sharp, hard spikes which are found near the point where the tail and body are joined. These spikes dig into the trunk, not only helping the hind legs to hold tightly, but also helping to push the body upward.
Because this webbing is attached so securely to its body, this squirrel cannot walk or run like other animals. Most of its traveling is done by leaping from one tree to another. When ready to leap, it puts its head down and pushes off with its hind legs. Using its bushy tail as a rudder, it soars through the air to a selected spot on another tree. Anyone watching this spectacular leap would think it would surely crash, but at the last instant it turns in the air and lands head up, ready to explore the new tree. This is the way the Lord God created it, so it does not need to practice these moves. Those of us who know the Creator can easily see in this little animal one more wonder of His creation.
God has made a way of life for each of His creatures. Man, God’s special creation, has been told in God’s Word, the Bible, of two “ways.” Man is warned in Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12): “There is a way which seeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” But in John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) the Lord Jesus is called “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He is also called the “new and living way” by which we can “draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Hebrews 10:20,2220By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:20)
22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22). His invitation is, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). Which “way” are you following?
ML-05/30/1982