FLYING SQUIRRELS: KIDS `SOAR INTO READING' AT LIBRARY

"Flying" squirrels is really a misnomer.

"They should be called `gliding' squirrels," says Jim Robins, a graduate student at Southeast Missouri State University. "These small animals can glide up to 150 feet, although 50 to 60 feet is more the norm."

Robins, a biology student, was guest speaker during a "Soar Into Reading" program held at the Cape Girardeau Public Library Friday. Attending the final reading program of the summer were about 25 to 30 youngsters.

"More than 900 children participated in the reading program this summer," said Tasha Saecker, coordinator of children's services at the library. "We provided weekly programs for the children, which included story hours, crafts, films, and games."

Youngsters at Friday's program received a surprise. Robins brought a live flying squirrel to the program, and students and a few parents had an opportunity to see the animal close up.

"This species of squirrels is the small species of tree squirrels," said Robins. "Few of them grow to be more than 10 inches long, including the tail."

The squirrel at the library was probably a bit smaller.

"I raised this animal from a baby," said Robins. "It's full-grown now."

Alert youngsters noticed one thing about the small squirrel its large eyes.

"Unlike other types of tree squirrels, flying squirrels are usually active only at night," said Robins. "They need the larger eyes to see better in the dark."

The one thing most of the youngsters fail to notice was the thin tissue that stretches from its front leg to the rear leg on each side of the body.

"This skin serves like the wings of a glider," said Robins. "It gives the animal lift. Unlike a bird, flying squirrels do not have wings ... nor do they actually fly. They can't take off from land and fly upwards into a tree."

But, if the squirrel is "up a tree," it can fly down, actually glide down, said Robins.

Another interesting thing about the flying squirrel is its tail, noted Robins.

"You notice the tail is not like that of a regular squirrel," said Robins. "It's not as bushy ... it's thinner."

"But the flying squirrel's tail has a purpose," said Robins. "It can be used as a steering device as the squirrel glides. By using the tail, the squirrel can change its course while in flight. In fact, it can turn completely around and go back the way it came from."

The flying squirrel is one of three primary groups of tree squirrels in the U.S. and Canada. Others include the fox and gray squirrels and red squirrels.

Fox and gray squirrels are the larger variety. Fox squirrels, which get their name from their reddish-brown fur, are the larger and slower members of the squirrel family. They grow as much as 28 inches long and up to three pounds. The gray squirrels, which have gray or black fur, are a bit smaller, reaching a length of about 24 inches.

Red squirrels are the noisiest and most active variety. They're always busy, cutting down and hiding pine cones and nuts, chattering at each other all the time. These squirrels have reddish fur on their backs and will weigh from 6 to 12 ounces. Few red squirrels get over 12 inches in length.

One of the largest squirrel species is the black giant squirrel that lives in southeast Asia. It weighs more than six pounds, and has a very long red tail. But the largest squirrel is the marmot squirrel, which gets as long as 30 inches and weighs up to 20 pounds.