Introduction
Description
The Northern Flying Squirrel, also known by its scientific name, 'glaucomys sabrinus', is a species of flying squirrel found in North America which, unlike most members of its family, is strictly nocturnal. Its appearance consists of thick, cinnamon brown fur on most of the body with a creamy white complexion underneath as seen in the image to your right. This is accompanied by large black eyes for optimal night vision and a long, flattened tail which greatly assists whilst performing its characteristic feat of gliding from tree to tree. In addition to these features, the Northern Flying Squirrel also has a loose fold of skin between both its front and rear feet, allowing it to perform its trademark act. It can also be identified by its long whiskers, a feature common to most nocturnal animals. The average size of an adult Northern Flying Squirrel is 25 - 37 cm long with the typical weight of such a creature being 75 - 140 grams.
The Northern Flying Squirrel, also known by its scientific name, 'glaucomys sabrinus', is a species of flying squirrel found in North America which, unlike most members of its family, is strictly nocturnal. Its appearance consists of thick, cinnamon brown fur on most of the body with a creamy white complexion underneath as seen in the image to your right. This is accompanied by large black eyes for optimal night vision and a long, flattened tail which greatly assists whilst performing its characteristic feat of gliding from tree to tree. In addition to these features, the Northern Flying Squirrel also has a loose fold of skin between both its front and rear feet, allowing it to perform its trademark act. It can also be identified by its long whiskers, a feature common to most nocturnal animals. The average size of an adult Northern Flying Squirrel is 25 - 37 cm long with the typical weight of such a creature being 75 - 140 grams.
Habitat
The Northern Flying Squirrel can be geographically located in the areas of North America including Canada, Alaska and parts of the United States, with states of Washington, Oregon, California, Northern Dakota and Southern Dakota being just a few of the places that they call home. Within these areas they may be found in dense forests, or anywhere containing a multitude of either conifer or deciduous trees. It is here, in their natural habitat that they build their nests on an average of 1 - 18 metres off the ground and typically being made out of twigs and bark, with materials such as feathers, fur and leaves also being used.
The Northern Flying Squirrel can be geographically located in the areas of North America including Canada, Alaska and parts of the United States, with states of Washington, Oregon, California, Northern Dakota and Southern Dakota being just a few of the places that they call home. Within these areas they may be found in dense forests, or anywhere containing a multitude of either conifer or deciduous trees. It is here, in their natural habitat that they build their nests on an average of 1 - 18 metres off the ground and typically being made out of twigs and bark, with materials such as feathers, fur and leaves also being used.
Characteristics of Living Things
All living organisms have 7 characteristics, or requirements that allow it to have life. These
are movement, respiration, stimuli response, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition, otherwise known as the acronym MRS GREN, as seen in the image to your right. In the paragraphs to follow, each of the 7 characteristics will be examined and explained, and why they are vital for life as we know it will be revealed.
Movement
Movement allows the organism to change its position in the environment and obtain other essential requirements such as food and water. Movement is essential to the to life as
it allows the organism to find a mate and protect themselves against potential predators,
both very important factors in survival.
Respiration
Respiration is the act of extracting nutrients from inhaled oxygen and extracting the nutrients to feed the cells of multicellular beings, thus producing energy in the process. The respiratory system is crucial for the existence of life as without it, cells would have no way of acquiring nutrients and almost instantaneous death of the organism would occur.
Stimuli Response
Stimuli Response is the act of detecting things in your environment (such as potential predators) by using your senses (sight, smell, hearing etc.). Stimuli Response is a valuable asset for survival as without it, organisms would not be able to detect potential predators and threats that could harm or kill them in time for them to respond.
Growth
Growth is a vital part of an organism's development where the organism experiences an increase in size and the repair of damaged limbs or body parts. Growth occurs when a organism absorbs nutrients from other means and uses it to further the physical development of itself. Growth is vital to survival as it allows the organism to unlock the full potential of itself, and assists in adapting and coping with a changing world.
Reproduction
Reproduction is the process of where an organism creates a similar version of itself as to ensure the survival of that particular organism. Reproduction is an important asset in survival as it allows the organism's particular species and type to endure if something happened to the original specimen.
Excretion
All living things create waste which must be removed from the organism over time, otherwise this waste would become poisonous and ultimately result in the death of the organism. This is where the act of excretion comes in, ridding the organism of these harmful wastes such as carbon dioxide (removed through the lungs) and food wastes (removed through the bowel) etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition is required by all living things as there is a continuous requirement of nutrients (obtained through food) for the energy and growth of that particular organism. Nutrition is essential for survival as without it, the body would not be able to produce glucose and in turn, energy to perform all the bodily functions listed above.
All living organisms have 7 characteristics, or requirements that allow it to have life. These
are movement, respiration, stimuli response, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition, otherwise known as the acronym MRS GREN, as seen in the image to your right. In the paragraphs to follow, each of the 7 characteristics will be examined and explained, and why they are vital for life as we know it will be revealed.
Movement
Movement allows the organism to change its position in the environment and obtain other essential requirements such as food and water. Movement is essential to the to life as
it allows the organism to find a mate and protect themselves against potential predators,
both very important factors in survival.
Respiration
Respiration is the act of extracting nutrients from inhaled oxygen and extracting the nutrients to feed the cells of multicellular beings, thus producing energy in the process. The respiratory system is crucial for the existence of life as without it, cells would have no way of acquiring nutrients and almost instantaneous death of the organism would occur.
Stimuli Response
Stimuli Response is the act of detecting things in your environment (such as potential predators) by using your senses (sight, smell, hearing etc.). Stimuli Response is a valuable asset for survival as without it, organisms would not be able to detect potential predators and threats that could harm or kill them in time for them to respond.
Growth
Growth is a vital part of an organism's development where the organism experiences an increase in size and the repair of damaged limbs or body parts. Growth occurs when a organism absorbs nutrients from other means and uses it to further the physical development of itself. Growth is vital to survival as it allows the organism to unlock the full potential of itself, and assists in adapting and coping with a changing world.
Reproduction
Reproduction is the process of where an organism creates a similar version of itself as to ensure the survival of that particular organism. Reproduction is an important asset in survival as it allows the organism's particular species and type to endure if something happened to the original specimen.
Excretion
All living things create waste which must be removed from the organism over time, otherwise this waste would become poisonous and ultimately result in the death of the organism. This is where the act of excretion comes in, ridding the organism of these harmful wastes such as carbon dioxide (removed through the lungs) and food wastes (removed through the bowel) etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition is required by all living things as there is a continuous requirement of nutrients (obtained through food) for the energy and growth of that particular organism. Nutrition is essential for survival as without it, the body would not be able to produce glucose and in turn, energy to perform all the bodily functions listed above.