Flying squirrels are a tribe of 44 different squirrels in the family Sciuridae. Despite their name, they are not capable of flight in the same way as birds or bats, but are able to expertly glide from one tree to another with the aid of their patagium, a furry, parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle.

They are nocturnal and omnivorous, eating a wide variety of foods from spiders to tree sap. Nearly all flying squirrels are native to southern and eastern Asia with the exception of three American species (Glaucomys sabrinus, Glaucomys volans, and Glaucomys oregonensis) and Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans) living in northern Europe. The largest species is the rare woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) of northern Pakistan. The Humboldt flying squirrel of North America (Glaucomys oregonensis) was the first mammal discovered to fluoresce in ultraviolet.

Tagging: For tagging purposes, this can include any species of squirrel drawn with this particular membrane, regardless of whether they exist in real life. Despite their arboreal habits, they aren't tree_squirrels.

See also

• mammal
• rodent
• squirrel
• flying_squirrel
• patagium

More information:

Flying Squirrel (Wikipedia)