It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No, It's a Pteromyini

Pteromyini is part of the squirrel subfamily that includes 44 species of flying squirrels.  These squirrels don't actually fly, but are capable of gliding due to extra membrane between the wrists and ankles.  Flying squirrels may well have been the inspiration for the wingsuit.

Source:  Wikipedia

Here are some flying squirrels in action.  Do you see a resemblance?



The southern flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel are the only species found in North America.  Northern flying squirrels are specialists.  Their main diet is truffles which they find by smell and spatial memory.  They also eat mushrooms, insects, tree sap, flower buds, and nuts.

Flying squirrels are mostly nocturnal which helps them evade birds of prey that would hunt them during the day.  And their "flying" ability also is believed to have evolved to help them avoid other predators.

Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel   Source: Wikipedia

I didn't know there were flying squirrels here in Rhode Island, but evidently there are.  Would love to see one but will have to wait for warmer weather and a full moon.