3 Myths about The Flying Squirrel that You Must Know

Squirrel is part of rodent species which is famous for the adorable appearance. Thanks to those appearances, many times squirrel is used as animation characteristic such Sandy from Spongebob that adapted from Texas squirrel. Furthermore, this animal not only live in the wildlife, but now days, they also have been kept as domesticated animal. But, do not every try to catch wild squirrel for your own, my friends. Although they were not as dangerous as other wild animal, still, they could protect themselves and hurt you.

You should have certain skill to approach wild squirrel, so you would not trigger their rage upon you, which would end up attacking you. But, if you really want to raise your own squirrel, I might suggest you to come to shelter or breeder to adopt them. Some pet stores do sell squirrels, but it slightly hard to found. Furthermore, there are many variants of squirrel species you could choose to keep, such as: fox squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, red squirrel, and flying squirrel.

Yes, flying squirrel is one of the most preferable species among other species to keep as pet. Many people attract to their ability to fly (not flying like birds) and decided to pick them as pet. However, it’s very unfortunate thing if you keep flying squirrel without knowing their backgrounds and all stories that surround them. Thankfully, now we would discuss about 3 myths about the flying squirrel that you must know.

Flying Squirrel

Note this, flying squirrel is not capable to fly in the same way as birds or bath. Flying squirrel didn’t have wings that make them able to fly freely like other wings creatures, all that this squirrel do is glide to one tree to another. Although they were not created to have a pair of wings, but they were gifted with a furry, patagium which form parachute-like membrane that would wide stretch from the wrist to ankle. Not only from patagium, flying squirrel’s tail provides the stability during the flight. 

The only species that owned the patagium that would help them to glide is flying squirrel and sugar glider. Furthermore, flying squirrel anatomically were the same as normal squirrel, but they did have some differential due the adaptation of their life styles. The differences was seen in limb bones and hands are longer than normal squirrel, also their distal and foot bones are shorter. The tail and the limb of flying squirrel gave them ability to steer and exert control over the glide.

Furthermore, flying squirrel have some myths that surrounding their presences; these myths come from native people’s belief and some come from the lack of knowledge of some people that mostly is false. Without further do, here are 3 myths about the flying squirrel that you must know!

1. Flying Squirrel is Easy to Found

You might ever see a squirrel accidentally on the forest or other places (in the wildlife), but a flying squirrel? That’s another story. In fact, the real encounter between human and flying squirrel is classified as a rare event. People, you need to understand that flying squirrel is nocturnal animal; they rarely have any activity during the daylight which is totally the opposite of humans (unless you were also a nocturnal human).

Flying squirrel live in the wood that consist with snag and scattered dead trees, water supplies, and acorn-bearing trees. This animal not only sleep in their own nest up on tress, but they – sometimes – also sleep in attics. However, if you really want to see flying squirrel with your own eyes, then the autumn nights are the best option for you.

Autumn is the high point of activities for flying squirrel because they would busy gathering foods because the winter is coming. Do not expect to see this animal during cold and winter, because it the lowest point rate of activity for them. Who could blame them though, I would rather sleep and drink a cup of chocolate than go outside then freeze!

2. Flying Squirrel Hibernate

One of popular myth that people believe is flying squirrel hibernating, now let me tell you my friends, it’s all false. Flying squirrel did not hibernate, but they do hygge. Let’s took example of the squirrels that lived among frigid forests of Siberia, Canada, and Finland, these squirrels did not hibernate; they just lower the activities than in warm seasons. Flying squirrels are only limit their activities of foraging, and choose to spend more time inside their warm and cozy nest.

Also, let’s go to the Japan. The Japanese flying squirrel, even though during the cold winter, they do still do some venture outside their comfort nest. This squirrel name’s Japanese dwarf flying squirrel; they were known as one of the toughest flying squirrels that used the method of huddling together as the weapon to face harsh and extreme weather. Another squirrel around the world used different methods to face cold seasons such as sharing the nest (beyond the family).

Flying Squirrel have the ability to reduce body temperature and metabolic rate due saving the energy. If we look closer, the huddling method is very efficient and smart move, because by doing that, they get the benefit of each other’s warmth and heat of their bodies. For an addition, the other animals that used the method of sharing nest is owls and bats.

3. Squirrel Cultural Symbolism

Lets look in another cultural perspective. Some people believe that squirrels have their own meaning and symbolism. Squirrel become the symbolism of the energy of focus that would help people to reach the goal of life. As a spirit animal, squirrel is the representative of socialization; it believes that squirrel have a strong bond between one another. So, it would reflect the harmonization of relationship between one another.

Furthermore, for Native American, reviled that squirrel is part of their traditional symbolism. These peoples believed that squirrels are the symbol of aggression as it works; and most important thing, in the Southeast tribes believed that squirrels are caretaker of the forest. In the Northwest tribes believed that squirrels are the messengers that deliver important warnings for the tribes.

Well, it’s up to you to believe in this type of things or not; but, one thing for sure, squirrels are become a part of many cultural ethnic in many regions all over the world.