Flying Squirrel Facts for Kids
Flying squirrels are tree-living rodents that do not truly fly like birds or bats. They glide between trees using furry skin membranes stretched between their front and back legs, steering with their limbs and tails.
Quick Flying Squirrel Facts
- Animal Type: Mammal
- Group: Rodent and squirrel family
- Known For: Gliding membranes, big eyes, and nighttime tree travel
- Habitat: Forests, woodlands, tree hollows, nest boxes, temperate forests, tropical forests, and wooded areas in North America and Eurasia depending on species
- Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi, tree sap, insects, eggs, buds, and other small foods
What You’ll Learn
Learn 10 fun flying squirrel facts for kids with simple explanations, kid facts, quiz, glossary, and a flying squirrel activity.
These flying squirrel facts for kids are written in a simple way for kids, parents, teachers, and curious little fact-hunters.
10 Fun Flying Squirrel Facts for Kids
1. Flying Squirrels Are Mammals
Flying squirrels are mammals with fur, warm bodies, live young, and milk for their babies.
Kid Decode: A flying squirrel is a fuzzy tree acrobat with glide gear.
2. They Are Rodents
Flying squirrels are rodents in the squirrel family, so their front teeth keep growing.
Kid Decode: They are squirrel cousins with parachute pajamas.
3. They Do Not Truly Fly
Flying squirrels cannot flap and fly like birds or bats. They glide from tree to tree.
Kid Decode: The name says flying, but the trick is gliding.
4. They Have a Gliding Membrane
A furry skin membrane called a patagium stretches between the front and back legs to help them glide.
Kid Decode: The patagium is their built-in forest parachute.
5. They Steer With Tail and Limbs
Flying squirrels change body position and use their often flattened tails to steer and land on tree trunks.
Kid Decode: The tail is a fuzzy rudder for tree-to-tree trips.
6. Baby Flying Squirrels Are Kits
Baby flying squirrels are called kits and grow in nests inside tree cavities or other sheltered places.
Kid Decode: A flying squirrel kit is a tiny future glider in a nest.
7. Flying Squirrels Have Big Eyes
Big eyes help many flying squirrels see better at night.
Kid Decode: Those eyes are moonlight goggles with whiskers.
8. Flying Squirrels Are Mostly Nocturnal
Many flying squirrels are active at night, when they search for food and glide between trees.
Kid Decode: Nighttime is their leafy air-road hour.
9. They Eat Forest Foods
Flying squirrels eat nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi, tree sap, insects, and other small foods depending on the species.
Kid Decode: Their menu is woodland trail mix with mushroom sprinkles.
10. Flying Squirrels Need Trees
Flying squirrels need healthy forests with tall trees, nesting cavities, and safe gliding paths.
Kid Decode: Protecting forests keeps the tiny parachute squirrels sailing.
The Weirdest Flying Squirrel Fact
A giant flying squirrel can glide a very long distance by stretching its skin membrane into a living parachute.
Try This Flying Squirrel Activity
Flying Squirrel Drawing Activity
Draw a flying squirrel gliding between two trees at night. Add stretched gliding membrane, big eyes, flattened tail, kit in a tree hollow, acorns, stars, and a soft landing trunk.
Quick Flying Squirrel Quiz
- Do flying squirrels truly fly like birds? Answer: No, they glide.
- What is the gliding membrane called? Answer: A patagium.
- What are baby flying squirrels called? Answer: Kits.
- When are many flying squirrels active? Answer: At night.
- What animal family are they in? Answer: The squirrel family.
Mini Glossary
- Rodent: A mammal group with strong front teeth for gnawing.
- Kit: A baby flying squirrel or some other young mammals.
- Patagium: A skin membrane used for gliding.
- Nocturnal: Active mostly at night.
- Tree Cavity: A hollow space inside a tree used for shelter.
Turn Flying Squirrel Facts Into a Story
Turn these flying squirrel facts into a fun animal story with our free Animal Story Generator.
Try It FreeFact check note: Fact checked with Britannica flying squirrel resources, Britannica Kids giant flying squirrel resources, and trusted squirrel education references.