Northern Flying Squirrel
Part of Hall of North American Mammals.
![Northern Flying Squirrel gliding to safety, diorama in North American Mammals Hall](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero/722131-2-eng-US/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero_wideexact_2460.jpg 2460w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero/722131-2-eng-US/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero_wideexact_1230.jpg 1230w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero/722131-2-eng-US/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero_wideexact_800.jpg 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/hall-of-north-american-mammals-images/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero/722131-2-eng-US/nam-northern-flying-squirrel-hero_wideexact_400.jpg 400w)
July at Midnight, Trapper Peak, Montana
An agile skydiver, the northern flying squirrel doesn’t fly—it glides. Launching itself from a perch, this rodent extends its long limbs while loose skin that stretches from wrists to ankles catches the air. The squirrel may coast as far as 300 feet (91 meters) before landing, usually low on a tree trunk. Like a pilot raising a plane’s wing flaps, the squirrel lifts its tail to brake.
© AMNH/D. Finnin