Monday, January 18, 2010

How long can a flying squirrel fly? and how long can they live?

i am still doing this report and i need some help and if you can help than thanxHow long can a flying squirrel fly? and how long can they live?
Well first off, they do not actually fly, they glide. In the wild they live to an average of 6 years, and in captivity, they live 10 to 15 years.How long can a flying squirrel fly? and how long can they live?
The flying squirrels, scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini, are a tribe of squirrel (family Sciuridae). There are 43 species in this tribe, the largest of which is the woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus). The 2 species of the genus Glaucomys (Glaucomys sabrinus and Glaucomys volans) are native to North America, and the Siberian flying squirrel is native to parts of northern Europe (Pteromys volans).





The term ';flying'; is somewhat misleading, since flying squirrels are actually gliders incapable of true flight. Steering is accomplished by adjusting tautness of the patagium, largely controlled by a small cartilaginous wrist bone. The tail acts as a stabilizer in flight, much like the tail of a kite, and as an adjunct airfoil when ';braking'; prior to landing on a tree trunk.





Though their lifespan is only about six years in the wild, flying squirrels often live between 10 and 15 years in captivity. This difference in lifespan is due to these creatures being important prey animals. Predation mortality rates in sub-adults are very high. Predators include arboreal snakes, raccoons, nocturnal owls, martens, fishers, coyotes, and the domestic house cat. In the Pacific Northwest of North America, the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) is a well-known predator. They are also nocturnal.
it glides. It don't fly. Don't they call that a bat ?
Actually they do not fly they glide, and they can not be in the air for more than three to five seconds but I dont know how long they live
Flying squirrel :-





The flying squirrels, scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini, are a tribe of squirrel.There are 43 species in this tribe, the largest of which is the woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus).





The term ';flying'; is somewhat misleading, since flying squirrels are actually gliders incapable of true flight.





Though their lifespan is only about six years in the wild, flying squirrels often live between 10 and 15 years in captivity.





By the way, they are very cute creatures !!!
They can travel about 3 feet horizontally for every 1 foot they fall when gliding. Pet flying squirrels are not very good at it unless you teach them to by tossing them gently into a towel. Some like it, others don't. It will be obvious whether they do or don't if you try this.


They live but a few years in the wild and can live 10-15 in captivity if given adequate calcium.
a loose fold of skin, which stretches between their front and hind legs, enables them to glide for distances of 20 metres or more.


Most flying squirrels don't live longer than four years mostly due to their many predators. These include native wildlife such as owls, hawks, martens, and weasels, but domestic cats have also added to the problem.

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