The Wonders of God’s Creation
While there are many “flying squirrels” in lands south of the equator, there are only two look-alike varieties in North America the northern, living mostly in Canada and about the size of a common gray squirrel, and the southern, slightly smaller and living in the forests of the eastern United States.
Their name in Latin means “gray mouse that flies,” and because of their amazing movements through the air, in some places they are known as “fairy diddles.” Actually, a more realistic name would be “gliding squirrels,” for they do not actually fly but, as we will explain in the next article, they have special bodies which enable them to make great leaps between trees.
Unlike the gray and red squirrels, familiar to most of us, that are active during the daytime, both the North American “flyers” are active at night, which accounts for the fact that they are seldom seen, and people are often unaware that they are in the neighborhood.
These squirrels do not hibernate, but if the weather gets unusually cold, a dozen or more will keep warm by snuggling together in a nest until the weather warms up enough to resume their activities.
These closely related little animals are alike in many ways. They all tend to have grayish-brown backs and white stomachs. Their pretty fur is thick and silky, and their chins have long whiskers. They also all have flat tails nearly as long as the rest of their bodies and large ears, as well as big black eyes. It is plain to see how the Creator wisely provided these features to help them in their manner of night-time living.
They are playful creatures, chasing each other from tree to tree or scampering up the trunk, accompanied by loud squeals. When gathering nuts they sometimes stop their work and bat some around, apparently just for the fun of it. In fact, seeing their different playful ways, they seem to be one of the few animals that get much pleasure out of all that the Creator has done for them. They don’t seem to take life seriously and have been seen exchanging kisses with their companions. However, on rare occasions when they become irritated, one might be spotted stamping its feet like a spoiled little child, or lying on its back kicking its feet in the air as if to pummel a real or imagined enemy.
In many Bible verses the wonders of the Lord God’s creation are spoken of, such as the words of David: “I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.” Psalms 9:11<<To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.>> I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. (Psalm 9:1). There is real joy for all who, like David, do this with their whole heart. Do you?
ML-05/24/1987