BBC_Earth_UK_-_January_2017

088 / / JANUARY 2017

Body size

They vary in size – the giant

squirrel can be 30-60cm long

and weigh 1-2.5kg, but they

generally measure 20-30cm

long and weigh 50g-175g. The

smallest measure less than

10cm long and weigh only

a few grams.

Skeleton

Anatomically, they are very

similar to ordinary squirrels

but they have developed a

number of adaptations: their

limb bones are longer and

their feet and some of their

vertebrae are shorter.

Ears, nose

and mouth

They have unusually large ears

and excellent hearing, though

not as highly developed as

bats. They are nocturnal and

have large eyes that help them

to see in the dark, as well as

sensitive whiskers and a keen

sense of smell.

Call

Flying squirrels

are very vocal and

produce audible

squawks, chuckles

and snorts, as well as

ultrasonic sounds.

Flying
squirrel
territory

1. Canada


2. Eastern North America


3. Northern Europe


4. Pakistan


5. Southeast Asia

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