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2:00 pm
Quarterly Earth Day: Children’s Clean-Up
In honor of Earth Day, join us for a fun and playful afternoon of clean-up at everyone's favorite park... Dream Park at Winnequah Park in Monona.
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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no… it’s a flying squirrel!![]()
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The flying squirrel is a tiny rodent that, like other flying squirrels, got its name from its ability to fly… But they don’t actually fly like a bird or a bat, instead they glide, using a special membrane between their front and back legs that, when outstretched, allows them to glide from high places. They use slight movements of their legs to steer and their tail acts as a brake. Flying squirrels can travel over 150 feet in a single glide, with most glides ranging 50-60 feet.![]()
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There are two types of flying squirrel that are native to Wisconsin: the southern flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel. The two squirrels can be distinguished from one another by the color of the fur on their stomach. Southern flying squirrels have a white to cream patch of fur, while northern flying squirrels have gray. Southern flying squirrels are also smaller in size and more common in central and southern Wisconsin than northern flying squirrels. ![]()
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Flying squirrels typically live in deciduous and mixed forests, though northern flying squirrels can also be found in coniferous forests. They like older trees that have plenty of cavities to nest in and common nesting sites include abandoned woodpecker holes, bird and squirrel nests, and nest boxes. In the winter, these squirrels don’t hibernate. Instead, they stay in their dens, huddled together with other flying squirrels to keep them warm.![]()
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While they aren’t rare, it isn’t common to see a flying squirrel. This is because flying squirrels are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night instead of during the day and adaptations such as their large eyes and long whiskers help them navigate their environment after dark. They are the only species of squirrel that is nocturnal.![]()
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What signs of late fall do you see? Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood looking for cyclical events influenced by seasonal changes.![]()
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Photo: Erin Eastham, friend of Aldo Leopold Nature Center![]()
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#PhenologyFriday #FlyingSquirrel #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside
