Siberian flying squirrel or flying squirrel - a small rodent.It belongs to the family of belichih.Incidentally, this is the only animal of the subfamily flying squirrels living in Russia.Flying squirrel got its name because of its amazing ability to plan from one tree to another.Now, let's talk more in detail about this animal, its habits.The reader will learn who this flying squirrel.
Description fauna
flying squirrel - a medium-sized animal, the average body length of 170 mm.The tail of the animal in comparison with the body is large enough.The average length is 120 mm.Now consider the ears and feet of the animal.The length of the foot - about 35 mm, and the tab - 18 mm.The weight of the animal is on average 125 grams.Hairy skin fold ("flying membranes") running along the sides of the calf joins the front and rear limbs.She plays the role of a parachute.Front crease supported by bone, which extends from the wrist.Flying squirrel tail long, covered with dense hair.Head at this little animal, rounder than the normal protein.Ears are rounded, rather short, without brushes.The area around the eye black.
Due to the fact that the animal is nocturnal, his large and prominent eyes.Wool is soft, silky, fine.Especially thick and lush it gets in winter.The colors have animal light gray with a yellowish tinge.The tail of the animal's body is lighter.The inner surface of the legs and abdomen dull yellowish-white in color.Typically, proteins shortened nasal part of the skull.The relatively large at the flying squirrel drum chamber.
Since many Siberian flying squirrel climbs trees, her bones are elongated limbs, especially forearm and lower leg.
Distribution
Siberian flying squirrel lives in the taiga and mixed forests of Eurasia.You can find it in Finland, Mongolia, China, Korea, Latvia, and Estonia.
Siberian flying squirrel lives in the hollows.Their nests are satisfied with the trees at a height of four meters from the ground.Sometimes you can see a nest of squirrels in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia.
The flying squirrel eats
basis of the diet of the animal - it tops of the shoots, pine nuts, buds of deciduous trees, seeds of conifers.In summer, the menu a little more varied, added a variety of mushrooms and berries.Sometimes a thin young animals gnaw the bark of aspen, maple, willow and birch.Especially like the flying squirrel birch and alder catkins.They even animal stores for the winter, adding to its hollow.There is speculation that the Siberian flying squirrel can eat bird eggs and nestlings.Generally, the diet of the animal is completely dependent on where it resides.For example, in the north-eastern parts of the animal area in winter it eats only buds of larch.
Features animal behavior
Siberian flying squirrel is active all year round.Lifestyle her twilight, night.Lactating female, and young appear in the daytime.As a rule, most of the Siberian flying squirrel spends his life in the trees, on the ground down occasionally.Dramatically reduces the activity of this protein in the cold season.Note that the animal do not hibernate, but when it's freezing, he spends his time in the nest, using feed stocks that did in the warm.
social structure
One nest is usually inhabits two flying squirrels.These animals are not aggressive, social.The only one who can show aggression - is a nursing female.
When animal breeds?How many kids in the progeny?
Not very much is known about the breeding of this animal.In a year of flying squirrels have derived an average of two offspring, each with three cubs.The duration of pregnancy samochki about five weeks.In May, there is a first litter, and the second - in early July.
enemies
Unfortunately, flying squirrels have enemies.These include the sable, large owls and, of course, marten.
What are the benefits and harm to humans from this animal
Fur animal inferiority.Despite the softness and beauty, it is fragile, thin membrane.This is the reason for the difficulties of use.In captivity, Siberian flying squirrel survives very badly.This is because it needs space, in order to make jumps.
Important note about the number
Due to the fact that the size of the animal is reduced everywhere, officially recognized endangered species Siberian flying squirrel.The Red Book of Belarus is the beast on their lists.Flying squirrel belongs to the third category of protection.In 1993, the protein was included in the Red Book.In addition, the flying squirrel is found in a number of lists of the Red Book of Russia.
Interesting facts
- Did you know that the flying squirrel can cover a distance of fifty meters in a downward parabolic curve?To make the jump, squirrel climbs on top of the tree.
- During the flight, the flying squirrel forms a triangular silhouette.During this period, the hind legs have pressed to the animal's tail and front wide apart.Maneuvering flying squirrel, changing the tension of the webbing.During the flight can even change the direction of 90 degrees.The role of the brake, usually performs tail.Before landing, Siberian flying squirrel takes a vertical position, four paws clinging to the tree, then she runs across to the other side of the trunk.With this maneuver, it can dodge the birds of prey.
- very difficult to see this animal in the forest.Thanks patronizing coloring of fur flying squirrel can blend with trunks of aspen (they are gray).On the ground, an animal rarely leaves traces, and it is very difficult to know whose they are, as reminiscent of the squirrel.
- flying squirrel can chirp.The voice of the animal in its habitat can be heard late at night.
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conclusion Now you know who this flying squirrel, or Siberian flying squirrel, as it is called.As you can see, this is a very interesting animal with exquisite appearance.We hope that the information presented in this article has helped you understand in detail what kind of animal, which he especially reproduction and behavior.
