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flying squirrel
noun
: 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
The nonprofit has named the female flying squirrel Fiona.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
While dinosaurs walked the earth, early mammalia forms evolved that resembled badgers, flying squirrels, anteaters, and beavers.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023
In the Americas, the northern flying squirrel dines on insects, seeds, nuts, and fungi while the southern flying squirrel will sometimes eat eggs or carrion.
—National Geographic, 21 Aug. 2020
Other mammals that are protected species like badger, jackrabbit, moose and flying squirrel are prohibited from hunting.
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2017
The changes provided a foundation for later adaptations to feed on plants and larger animals; over time these pioneers became the Mesozoic equivalents of otters, raccoons, flying squirrels and aardvarks.
—Riley Black, Scientific American, 28 June 2023
Almost half of flying squirrel species, such as the southern flying squirrel in North and Central America and the Javanese flying squirrel of Southeast Asia, have stable populations.
—National Geographic, 21 Aug. 2020
Wintertime in a remote Montana forest heralds the arrival of mating season for the flying squirrel—and one of nature's most spectacular air shows.
—Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2016
Watch this professional jumper leap off a cliff in Italy wearing a flying squirrel suit!
—Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 30 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flying squirrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1591, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near flying squirrel
Cite this Entry
“Flying squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flying%20squirrel. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
flying squirrel
noun
: a squirrel with folds of skin connecting the forelegs and hind legs that enable it to make long gliding leaps
More from Merriam-Webster on flying squirrel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flying squirrel
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