Flying Squirrels: Gliders That Glow
At dusk, a small squirrel climbs a tree and leaps into the air. It spreads its legs wide and sails toward another trunk. Is it flying? Not quite. Flying squirrels cannot flap their arms like birds. Instead, they glide, traveling through the air while gradually moving downward. Their gliding skills—and a surprising hidden glow—make these nighttime animals especially interesting.
Built for Gliding
A flying squirrel’s most useful gliding tool is a furry flap of skin called a patagium. It stretches between the squirrel’s front and back legs on each side of its body. When the squirrel spreads its legs, the flaps catch the air, helping it glide farther than it could jump without them.
The squirrel can adjust, or change, the shape of its body during a glide. By moving its legs, it can steer around branches or aim for a tree trunk. Its broad, flat tail helps it balance and can act like a brake as it lands. Just before touching the tree, the squirrel raises its body and slows down. Then its sharp claws grip the bark.
- predators:
- Animals that hunt other animals for food.
- species:
- Groups of living things whose members share important features.
- cavities:
- Hollow spaces inside something.
- sheltered:
- Protected from weather or danger.
- huddling:
- Gathering close together.
- grip:
- To hold something tightly.
- discovery:
- Something found or learned for the first time.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How do the patagium and tail help a flying squirrel glide and land?
- 2Why must a flying squirrel climb again before its next glide?
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About this explanatory article passage for 5th Grade
“Flying Squirrels: Gliders That Glow” is a explanatory article reading passage about Flying Squirrels, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (582 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.