Squirrels

[newb]

Does anyone know the distances a squirrel will jump, from branch to branch, branch to building, and drop? Now is the time homeowners are asking for limbs to be cut back from houses. Thanks, Pete

 

[MasterBlaster]

24 feet 7 inches, depending on the species.

 

[R Schra]

24 feet 7 inches, depending on the species.

is that a fact ???

at 24feet and 7½ inch they will not make it? dang, let the squirrels live life on the edge ))0

 

[MasterBlaster]

I've done exhaustive research.

 

[Lumberjack]

Butch is spot on!

([RJS]Honestly, I dont see how there is any chance of a even remotely educated guess and I believe MB is "pulling your chain". One could say this is borderline troll, BUT, I have never seen you as being a troll, so its perhaps an honest question. [/RJS])

 

[MasterBlaster]

A squirrel's body is designed to take a fall, the body is a natural airfoil.

 

[fwf]

I've done exhaustive research.

Do you happen to have the figures for the effects of air density, elevation, and barometric pressure? And what about nuts, do nuts matter?

I'll hold while you look those up for me.

 

[Lumberjack]

The bigger the nuts, the bigger the risk they will take!

Flying squirrels blow 24' outta the watter

 

[fwf]

The bigger the nuts, the bigger the risk they will take!...

I was thinking about their diet, but you make a another good point. I imagine a well endowed squirrel more than makes up for the ballast.

 

[vharrison2]

Master Blaster, you are SO funny.

 

[vharrison2]

All I know is they are cute and my Dad has fun popping them with a bb gun in his back yard!

 

[texasnative]

I've seen a tree rat fall 85' out of a pine tree, hit the ground, bounce 3' into the air, then run right back up the same tree. Tough little boogers.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Do you happen to have the figures for the effects of air density, elevation, and barometric pressure? And what about nuts, do nuts matter?

Actually, a non-pregnant female has the chance of surviving the highest fall. Testicles DO add to the overall weight, and therefore diminishing drag. The tail, along with the flattened, spread-eagled body position during falling, adds drag thereby slowing their descent.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Then, died.

 

[R Schra]

Darn, as 'from the other side of the pond' i have to take my beer, chips and smokes out for such an topic

I can only remember beeing bitten by a dutch squirrel once trying to catch some breed in a old crows nest. I got one though, it was dead for several weeks.

 

[timberbeast]

OVER 100 YARDS!!!

Everything is bigger in Alaska.

"While tracking flying squirrels in the Bonanza Creek area south of Fairbanks, Mowrey often watched them "fly" from tree to tree. Using a loose membrane of skin that stretches from each fore to hind leg, a flying squirrel glides on air in a controlled descent from tree to tree. The animal's tail, which looks like a feather, is used as a rudder, Mowrey said. He's seen a flying squirrel travel 100 yards in the air before performing a "parachute flare" to slow itself and extend its hind feet to land lightly on another tree."

Reference:
Hang Gliders of the Alaska Night: Northern Flying Squirrels
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF13/1306.html

Alaska Fish and Game, Flying Squirrel
http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/furbear/nfsquirl.php