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How Fast Can a Flying Squirrel Fly? how-fast-can-a-flying-squirrel-fly

Have you ever wondered how fast a flying squirrel can fly? If you do, you’re not alone! This fascinating little animal can cover great distances, and it uses a parachute-like membrane between its back limbs and front limbs to make the flight possible. If you’ve ever wondered how this is possible, keep reading to learn more about the flying squirrel’s abilities. A flying squirrel’s parachute-like membrane provides it with the ability to fly so fast that it can easily evade predators.

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Flying squirrels glide from tree to tree

You might not know that flying squirrels are able to move from one branch of a tree to another by using their wings. Their wings are shaped like little flaps called patagium, and they curl upward like the tips of aircraft wingtips. These winglets are responsible for stabilizing the squirrel’s glide and increasing its flight efficiency. Flying squirrels often start from a high branch, and land near the ground before returning to the top of the tree.

They cover great distances

The ability of flying squirrels to cover great distances is attributed to their remarkably fast speeds and puzzling control of acceleration. This increased speed and maneuverability are important for nighttime flying in the forest. A squirrel’s wings are remarkably rigid and have a large patagium – a wing membrane spanning from the neck to the fore and hind limbs – that lessens the impact of landing. While passive gliding allows for rapid travel, it is also the least stable form of locomotion because changes in posture, wing symmetry and weight distribution can disrupt glide, leading to uncontrollable falls.

They avoid predators

Southern flying squirrels are at risk for being eaten by a variety of predators. These animals are nocturnal and often come out only at night. Various nocturnal predators are attracted to these creatures, including owls, bobcats, skunks, and foxes. Rattlesnakes, for example, have been known to consume flying squirrels.

They have a parachute-like membrane between their front and back limbs

In addition to being small, flying squirrels also have an impressively long tail and are highly adept at gliding. They can fly hundreds of feet in the air and turn almost 180 degrees in mid-air, allowing them to reach heights of nearly 300 feet. Because of this, they can perform amazing feats, including leaping many times their own length.

They have padded feet with sharp claws to help them land

In addition to being small, flying squirrels are amazingly agile, thanks to their sharp claws on the tips of their feet. This allows them to move vertically while maintaining their center of gravity. The claws on their feet also give them strategic points for attachment. Their feet allow them to jump over logs and trees by coordinating two separate structures – their paw pads and their claws – so that they can run head-first down a tree. They also have sharp claws on their toes that dig into the ground, allowing them to grip surfaces at angles impossible to achieve in their own bodies.

They have a low aspect ratio

The wing shape of flying squirrels is similar to that of chicken wings. They are long from front to back and short from side to side. The low aspect ratio of these wings provides lift and a balance between the drag of wing movement and reorientation. This aspect ratio is one of the reasons that flying squirrels can fly so well. In addition to this, their low drag allows them to maintain high speeds in the air.

They glide between trees

Dwarf flying squirrels are small and native to northern Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. They are about seven centimeters long with a tail that can stretch as long as 10 cm. They glide between trees in a semicircular pattern, and their long tails are so long that they might mistake them for large butterflies. While flying, they also exert control over their path with their tail and limbs.