Siberian Flying Squirrel

The Siberian flying squirrel is a small, soft-furred squirrel with large black eyes and a gliding membrane extending between the forelimbs and hind limbs. Unlike some flying squirrels, it lacks an additional membrane between the hind legs and tail base. Its dorsal coat changes from yellow-gray or blackish gray in summer to silver-gray in winter, while the underside remains white. The broad, flattened tail is covered with short fur. (Animal Diversity Web)

Siberian flying squirrels inhabit mature aspen, birch, spruce, cedar, and pine forests from Scandinavia across northern Asia to northern China. They favor old hollow trees for nesting and spend little time on the ground. Nocturnal animals, they glide between trees while searching for green plants, twigs, berries, seeds, nuts, catkins, cones, and pine needles. One or two annual litters contain one to six young after gestation lasting about four weeks. (Animal Diversity Web)