Editing Flying squirrel (section)

{{short description|Tribe of mammals}}
{{About|the member of the animal kingdom}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = Early [[Oligocene]] – Recent
| image = Glaucomys sabrinus 248041903 (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = [[Northern flying squirrel]]<br>(''Glaucomys sabrinus'')
| taxon = Pteromyini
| authority = [[Johann Friedrich von Brandt|Brandt]], 1855
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = ''[[Aeretes]]''<br />
''[[Aeromys]]''<br />
''[[Belomys]]''<br />
''[[Biswamoyopterus]]''<br />
''[[Eoglaucomys]]''<br />
''[[Eupetaurus]]''<br />
''[[Glaucomys]]''<br />
''[[Hylopetes]]''<br />
''[[Iomys]]''<br />
''[[Petaurillus]]''<br />
''[[Petaurista]]''<br />
''[[Petinomys]]''<br />
''[[Priapomys]]''<br />
''[[Pteromys]]''<br />
''[[Pteromyscus]]''<br />
''[[Trogopterus]]''
}}

'''Flying squirrels''' (scientifically known  as '''Pteromyini''' or '''Petauristini''') are a [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] of 50 [[species]] of [[squirrel]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Squirrel|Sciuridae]]. Despite their name, they are not in fact capable of full [[flight]] in the same way as [[bird]]s or [[bat]]s, but they are able to [[gliding flight|glide]] from one tree to another with the aid of a [[patagium]], a furred skin membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. Their long tails also provide stability as they glide.<ref name=":3" /> Anatomically they are very similar to other squirrels with a number of adaptations to suit their lifestyle; their limb bones are longer and their hand bones, foot bones, and distal vertebrae are shorter. Flying squirrels are able to steer and exert control over their glide path with their limbs and tail. 

Molecular studies have shown that flying squirrels are [[Monophyly|monophyletic]] (having a common ancestor with no non-flying descendants) and originated some 18–20 million years ago. The genus ''[[Paracitellus]]'' is the earliest lineage to the flying squirrel dating back to the late Oligocene era.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal|last1=Lu|first1=Xuefei|date=24 June 2012|title=The Evolution and Paleobiogeography of Flying Squirrels (Sciuridae, Pteromyini) in Response to Global Environmental Change.|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11692-012-9191-6|journal=Evolutionary Biology|volume=40|issue=40|pages=117–132|doi=10.1007/s11692-012-9191-6|s2cid=15742612|access-date=28 October 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Most are nocturnal and [[Omnivore|omnivorous]], eating [[fruit]], [[seeds]], [[buds]], [[flower]]s, [[insect]]s, [[Gastropoda|gastropods]], [[spider]]s, [[Fungus|fungi]], [[bird]]'s eggs, [[tree sap]] and young birds. The young are born in a nest and are at first naked and helpless. They are cared for by their mother and by five weeks are able to practice gliding skills so that by ten weeks they are ready to leave the nest.

Some captive-bred [[southern flying squirrel]]s have become domesticated as small household pets, a type of "[[Rodents as pets|pocket pet]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://petcaretips.net/squirrel-keeping-care.html|title=Do Southern Flying Squirrels make Good Pets to Keep?|website=petcaretips.net|access-date=2018-02-23}}</ref>