Flying squirrel in Verkhny Uslon: a rare guest from the Red Data Book

      Another surprising event occurred in Verkhny Uslon – local residents caught sight of rare flying squirrels listed in the Red Book.

      This year the flora and fauna of our district are full of surprises: the rare Red Book-listed mushroom is increasingly being found in our forests, and in Innopolis hares, wild boars and moose are already "taking over" the area. Today we were shown yet another amazing and cute find.

      "Mom, there's a squirrel outside our window," exclaimed Darya Kudashova, not believing her eyes, but she managed to capture the visitor in a photo.

      "My mother didn't believe it until I showed her the photo; it looks like a squirrel, but kind of not. We had heard rustling in the forest near the house before, and these animals seemed to flit by, but they never came close," said Darya Andreevna.

      We checked our suspicions and confirmed that flying squirrels have settled in our forests, although these places are not entirely typical for them. These fluffy gliders, listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan, are a true jewel of Tatarstan's forests. Find out where you can meet this elusive animal, what makes it unique and why it needs to be protected.

      Who is the flying squirrel?

      The flying squirrel, or flying squirrel (letuchaya belka), is a small arboreal rodent, the only representative of its kind of the squirrel family in our territory. Contrary to its name, it does not fly like a bird but skillfully glides between trees. There are about a dozen subspecies worldwide, eight of which are found in Russian forests.

      How to tell a flying squirrel from an ordinary squirrel?

      The main difference is a furred skin membrane between the front and hind legs. It works like a parachute, allowing the animal to make gliding jumps of up to 50–60 meters! The long, bushy tail serves as a rudder and brake. Our Tatarstan flying squirrel differs from foreign relatives by its more modest size and is called the "common" flying squirrel.

      Where in Tatarstan can you meet the flying squirrel?

      This rare rodent inhabits old deciduous and mixed forests of the republic. Its range includes:

      - Mamadyshsky District

      - Agryzsky District

      - Yelabuzhsky District

      - Zelenodolsky District

      - (as a recent visit showed) Verkhneuslonsky District

      Lifestyle and diet

      The flying squirrel is an agile tree-climber that moves expertly along trunks and branches but feels awkward on the ground. Its diet is varied:

      Winter and spring:

      - tree buds, young shoots, seeds of conifers (pine, larch).

      Summer and autumn:

      - berries, mushrooms, young bark of trees such as willow, aspen, birch and maple.

      Top 3 interesting facts about the flying squirrel:

      - A born parachutist. The animal got its name thanks to its unique ability to glide between trees using skin membranes.

      - Does not sleep through winter. Unlike some other rodents, the flying squirrel does not enter true hibernation, but during severe frosts it may stay in its nest for long periods, feeding on stored provisions.

      - Independent from an early age. Already 50 days after birth, young flying squirrels can glide and forage, becoming fully independent.

      Important: why the flying squirrel needs protection

      The flying squirrel is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan as a rare species. The main threats to it are the destruction of its natural habitat (the felling of old forests) and poaching. Although these animals do poorly in captivity and need a lot of space to leap, they are often captured to be kept as pets. This causes serious damage to an already vulnerable population.

      If you are lucky enough to see this amazing animal in the forests of Tatarstan – simply observe it from a distance. Do not disturb it and under no circumstances try to catch it. The preservation of this unique species is in our hands.

      Diana Salikhzanova

      More news about the event:

      Red-listed flying squirrels spotted in one of Tatarstan's districts

      Residents of Verkhneuslonsky District of Tatarstan photographed a rare flying squirrel listed in the republic's Red Book. 13:10 21.09.2025 TRK Tatarstan-New Century - Kazan

      Flying squirrel in Verkhny Uslon: a rare guest from the Red Book

      Another surprising event occurred in Verkhny Uslon – local residents caught sight of rare flying squirrels listed in the Red Book. 11:22 21.09.2025 Volzhskaya Nov - Verkhny Uslon