Can Lake County Flying Squirrels Actually Fly or Glide?

Due to the name of the flying squirrel, Lake County people often think that they can actually fly. In reality, flying squirrels do not fly. They are using the unique membrane in their legs to glide and transfer from one point to another. They will leap on the highest point of the tree and open their limbs. Their feet and arms can be used to control their movement in the air and their tails are capable of halting their glide.

Flying Squirrels Do Not Have Flight Capability

Aside from Ohio flying squirrels, there are different mammals such as flying lemurs that also glide. None of them have the flight ability. However, they have the skill to thrust. These creatures are arboreal and will spend most of their time in the tree.

Type of Lake County Flying Squirrel

Perhaps the largest type of flying squirrel would be the Japanese Giant that measures at about 2ft. They also have an average wingspan of 1.5ft and weighs at around 5lbs. Nonetheless, most of the flying squirrels are about the size of your palm like the flying squirrels that you will find in North America. The New World type of flying squirrel will have a unique appearance but it makes them look strange. These creatures will often establish their nest in our eaves and attics. Due to their sheer size, they can remain undetected for months. 

The Patagium of Flying Squirrels

Patagium is a special membrane that supports the gliding ability of the Ohio squirrel. These features can also be found in other species of animals such as birds and bats. The patagium found in the flying squirrel extends to their limbs just like in pterosaurs and bats. Their forelimbs are not actually similar to the animals with true flight ability; this membrane has proved to be an intricate system. They are made from a complex fibers and muscle group. Apart from the patagium, they also have styliform bones that are intended to provide support to this membrane. It is particularly found on the wrist.

You will also notice a flap on the patagium of the Ohio flying squirrels. This may resemble a winglet that is clakecountywildlifecontrol.comed on an upward position similar to the edge of the aircraft wings. Based on the existing theory, this greatly reduces the drag at the wing’s end. Others believe that it controls or stabilizes the creature’s glide. There is also a belief that similar to the commercial planes, this winglet increases the efficiency of the flight and control the glide. These theories are highly possible due to the position of the winglet.

The eyes of the Lake County squirrels are positioned on the side that enables them to determine the presence of the attackers. Unfortunately with the size of their head, they lack great perception. This is why they need to check their path in multiple angles to create a desirable parallax. Experts believe that the flying squirrel is simply in the middle of their evolution. Whether they can have true flight ability in the future will be determined by their ability to evolve.

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