Squirrel

rodents · forest · clever

Three main types. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. They live all over the world!

Gliding daredevils. Flying squirrels don't really fly, but they stretch out flaps of skin to glide gracefully from tree to tree.

Almost everywhere. Squirrels naturally live in the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa. People even brought them to Australia.

Ancient rodents. The oldest squirrel fossils date back to the Eocene epoch, millions of years ago.

Surprising relatives. Among living rodents, squirrels are closest cousins to the mountain beaver and the dormice.