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How far can giant flying squirrels glide?
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Overview of food-burying behaviour in squirrels.
Giant flying squirrels (Petaurista) are capable of impressive aerial travel. Although these rodents do not engage in powered flight, they are known to perform glides of up to 450 meters (almost 1,500 feet).1
They achieve this by leaping from high in a tree and extending their limbs to stretch a fur-covered membrane, known as a patagium, which transforms their body into a gliding platform. By manipulating this membrane and their tail, they can control their descent before landing deftly on all four feet.12