soccerdude88

​Flying Squirrels

Research Plan:
 * Look for books in the library that may have info about my topic.
 * Look up other websites that have information about them.
 * Get more pictures of flying squirrels.
 * Find out the smallest ever and the largest ever

Research Information: Predators
 * Great Grey Owl
 * Raccoons
 * Coyotes
 * House Cat
 * Bobcats
 * Weasels
 * Rattlesnakes
 * Arboreal Snake

Sources: []

1. Flying Squirrels 2. Your research questions: · Who discovered them? What environment do they live in? Where are they mainly located? When were they discovered? Facts **Identification:** Flying squirrels have soft, gray-brown fur on the back and sides, with white underparts, a flattened tail and large, dark eyes for night vision. The northern flying squirrel is slightly darker and redder than the southern flying squirrel. The loose folds of skin between the front and hind legs of these squirrels enables them to "fly;" they actually glide through the air on the stretched surface of this loose skin. Flying squirrels are active year-round, are highly sociable, and will feed and den together, especially during periods of harsh weather. There are even reports of flying squirrels denning with other animals, including screech owls and bats. When feeding on tree nuts, they will characteristically make one opening in the shell to extract the meat. In contrast, other squirrels and chipmunks break the nuts into many pieces to obtain the meat. They store food for winter use in den trees or underground.
 * **Habitat:** Mature deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous forests with an abundance of various nut-producing trees.
 * Weight**: Southern flying squirrel, 1.8 to 2.5 ounces. Northern flying squirrel, 2 to 4.4 ounces. ||  || **Length:** Southern flying squirrel, 8 to 10 inches. Northern flying squirrel, 9.8 to 11.5 inches.
 * Food:** Acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, blossoms, mushrooms, moths, beetles, and small birds and their eggs. ||
 * Range:** The southern flying squirrel is found from southern Canada south to southern Florida, west to Minnesota and eastern Texas. The northern flying squirrel is found from southeastern Alaska and northern Canada south to Tennessee and west to the Pacific coast.
 * Interesting Facts:** Depending on the air current, flying squirrels may glide 150 feet or more from a height of 60 feet. They can turn easily at right angles while gliding and control the direction of their glide by tensing and turning their legs and body and flapping their tail. As a flying squirrel approaches its landing, the squirrel flips its tail up and holds its body back to slow the glide down, giving the squirrel ample time to position its feet for grasping the tree trunk. Flying squirrels usually land face up and often run up the tree immediately after landing.