flying squirrel
nounDefinition of flying squirrel
: either of two small nocturnal North American squirrels (Glaucomys volans and G. sabrinus) with folds of skin connecting the forelegs and hind legs that enable it to make long gliding leaps
also
: any of various squirrels that possess a patagium
Examples of flying squirrel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jumpers can glide forward at speeds upwards of 140 miles per hour, steering through the air with mind-boggling accuracy like a high-powered flying squirrel. — National Geographic, "Has the world's deadliest sport become safer? It's complicated.," 21 Aug. 2019 Known as Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis or the Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel, the new species was spotted in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. — Fox News, "Mysterious flying squirrel with 'glowing eyes' discovered in China," 23 July 2019 My father-in-law, who, as a child, had shared a home with a deer and a flying squirrel, opened the door. — Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, "Have You Ever Met One?," 25 May 2018 The Chinese flying squirrel isn’t the only rodent recently added to the tree of life. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "New Species of Giant Flying Squirrel Discovered in China," 22 July 2019 There are 52 species of flying squirrels in the world. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "New Species of Giant Flying Squirrel Discovered in China," 22 July 2019 The cavities that woodpeckers create and later abandon provide living space for other creatures — birds such as titmice, nuthatches and wrens, but also for flying squirrels, Mason said. — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, "The percussive appeal of the woodpecker," 17 July 2019 In the far north, where there currently is no night, nocturnal animals like flying squirrels and owls need to go about their business in daylight. — Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, "During long summer days in Alaska, Boreal owls perform by daylight," 30 June 2018 There is evidence that some of the creatures could glide like flying squirrels and others could swim. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, "Big Discovery in a Tiny Mammal-Like Skull Found Under a Dinosaur’s Foot," 23 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flying squirrel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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