There is a lot to learn about the squirrels than what we know

Scientific names Pteromyini or Petauristini, Flying Squirrels have been termed as a tribe that comprises 50 species. Well, but don’t mistake them for the free-flight birds in the sky. These cute little button-eyed mammals are not capable of flying the same way birds or bats do. Their flying abilities are only enough to help them glide from one tree to another with the aid of a patagium - a furry, parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. And it is the long tail that provides them stability in flight. According to scientific studies, Flying Squirrels originated some 18–20 million years ago.

Since they have lived on the planet earth forever, there exists a whole of its species. Let us take a look at the species of flying squirrels.

The Kashmir flying squirrel

This is a species of rodent found in India and Pakistan. It resides in the natural habitat which is subtropical or tropical dry forests. The Afghan flying squirrel is usually considered a subspecies of this.

The southern flying squirrel

Also known as the assapan, this is one of three species of the genus Glaucomys. In fact, it is also one of three flying squirrel species found in North America. One can spot these mammals in deciduous and mixed woods from southeastern Canada to Florida. The Southern flying squirrels have grey-brown fur on top and have a cream-ish color underneath. They have large and dark eyes and a flattened tail.

The particolored flying squirrel

This is a species of rodent found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. These squirrels build their habitat in subtropical or tropical dry forests.

The Himalayan large-eared flying squirrel

After much deliberation over its classification, these were finally classified as distinct species in their own genus.

The Sumatran flying squirrel

This flying squirrel is only found on the island of Sumatra and is listed as data deficient on the IUCN red list. They were originally discovered in 1949, and are threatened by a restricted range and habitat loss due to logging. And unlike most flying squirrels, this one does not have a membrane connecting to its tail.

Some other species of flying squirrels are Northern flying squirrel, Afghan flying squirrel, Bartel's flying squirrel, Gray-cheeked flying squirrel, Palawan flying squirrel, Indochinese flying squirrel, Jentink's flying squirrel, Sipora flying squirrel, Red-cheeked flying squirrel, Javanese flying squirrel, and Mentawi flying squirrel to name a few.