An Indian Flying Squirrel was rescued by forest personnel from Gandhamardan hill range on Wednesday. The mammal was found injured by monkeys and will be released back after treatment.
Despite being termed as flying, the squirrels actually glide and are incapable of sustained flight. Steering is accomplished by adjusting tautness of the patagium, largely controlled by a small cartilaginous wrist bone.
The tail acts as a stabiliser in flight, much like the tail of a kite, and as an adjunct airfoil when ‘braking’ prior to landing on a tree trunk, forest officials said.