Tuesday, July 17, 2007

"Hey Rocky, want to see me pull a rabbit out of my hat?" As for this "Rocky", he wants some corn and a peanut suet cake, and he doesn't care where I pull it from! This Northern Flying Squirrel visits my yard regularly, even in the winter! The first time I discovered these adorable creatures, I was exiting my truck at night, but heard what sounded like a bird! Not high-pitched like a bat, but whistling, chirp like a bird. I looked toward the oak tree where I heard the noise, and saw a small brown blur land on the tree. They aren't really that shy, either...but I won't attempt hand-feeding for fear of a bite from a creature I couldn't possibly catch to check for rabies! But they sure are cute, and I've hung three wooden bluebird houses that they nest in. Definately one of my favorite mammals!

8 comments:

chuck b. said...

Sweet!

Entangled said...

Cool! I've never seen one, although they're said to be regular nighttime visitors to bird feeders here. I suppose we have the Southern variety though.

lisa said...

Chuck-definately!

Entangled-I bet you do have the southern variety. When I looked into it, I was surprised how widespread these guys are. I know people keep them as pets, but I think that would be cruel to cage up something that enjoys flying like they do.

Unknown said...

He is too cute! My now-boyfriend used to have a flying squirrel relative (why I can't think of the name is beyond me, but they were native to Australia or something) when he was married to his ex wife. Unfortunately, she got to keep it when they went their separate ways... it was very cute, and liked to sleep in my front "pouch" whenever I had on a hoodie and was over hanging with our gang.

Ki said...

Well, son of a gun it does look like Rocky! Maybe it was Bullwinkle that ate all your Hostas. :)

lisa said...

Kim-I bet that was a sugar glider...I've seen them in pet stores. They ARE really cute, but I never realized they could get so tame you could carry them around and they wouldn't try to escape...cool!

Ki-Ha! I hear that moose are WAY more destructive than deer, so I'm glad they've not re-established here yet. Moose were re-introduced into the Upper Peninsula in Michigan though, and all they have to do is cross the river to get to me, so their day will come I bet! Sure hope Liquid Fence will repel them, too!

Unknown said...

Lisa, that's it!!! I've been wracking my brain to remember, but you nailed it. She was a sugar glider, and they got her when she was really small. They called her Luna after the moon, because of her nocturnal habits. I don't know if I'd keep her in my pocket when I went to the grocery store, but they did often take her places in the little pouch-purse that they had made for her, and nobody was ever the wiser. :)

lisa said...

Luna...that's really cute! I used to sneak my hamster arond to stores in my purse...I even took him to school one day!