Giant Flying Squirrels of Kerala, India


 


People in Kerala State in South-West India sometimes see giant squirrels flying large distances. Scientists have recorded their flying 150 feet.  They fly like Batman. They usually jump off a tall tree and glide down while moving forward. They spread their four legs, opening out web-like skin between the legs. The skin acts like the wings of a plane and slows down their downward movement. Gliding does not require any action like beating winds up and down.  

 


From 1940 to 1990, no one saw flying squirrels in Kerala, so scientists eagerly searched for them. They feared the Malabar flying squirrel, like the dinosaurs, might become extinct. Finally, searchers found the flying squirrels again.

Srinivasan Ramani 

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