We greatly hope that each of you, our readers, will fully enjoy and appreciate this article about these 3 Rather Remarkable Rodents. It certainly was our very great pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.
Obviously, though, these few species referenced herein form only the tiniest handul of the rodents in the world. Indeed, this Order actually contains about 40% of all known species on mammals! You’ll find other, related creatures within the pages of some of our other articles.
Northern Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel Facts
- Leading off this article about these 3 Rather Remarkable Rodents we present the extraordinary creature known as the Northern Flying Squirrel.
- This small mammal most frequently goes by the somewhat informative common name for excellent reasons. It also represents one of only three members of its genus, Glaucomys, to make its home in what’s now known as the New World.
- The intriguing creature does have another name by which it’s known, though. That’s because, like all species, it also holds a technical name. Fortunately, this one’s relatively simple to pronounce, as such things go. It’s formally named the Glaucomys sabrinus.
- It received that unique moniker due to the efforts of the respected English zoologist and botanist, George Kearsley Shaw. He accomplished the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. This scientifically noteworthy action occured in 1801.
- The surprising animal also remains noteworthy for another, astonishing fact. That’s due to the fact that researchers presently recognize a total of 24 subspecies of this small marvel of Nature! This fact alone distinguishes it from the other members of its Order.
- For the moment, the Northern Flying Squirrel appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both sizable and stable. This fact also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN, therfore, now lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
- The remarkable animal nevertheless does face some potential threats to its existence. These, however, consist of the same one’s that most species presently face. These include habitat degradation and outright loss, and, of course, climate change.
Northern Flying Squirrel Physical Description
The remarkable Northern Flying Squirrel easily impresses those fortunate to encounter one. It does so, however, for reasons other than sheer size. Although it’s certainly a lovely animal, it’s not just its appearance that distinguishes it. That’s due to other characteristics.
Unlike many animals, yet in keeping with the pattern established by other squirrels, this creature displays no noticeable degree of sexual dimorphism. Distinguishing the genders of specific individuals encountered therefore remains quite difficult for the casual observor.
In terms of physical size, though, it’s somewhat smaller than many of its genetic cousins. Individuals attain an average overall length of 9.8 – 14.6 in (25 – 37 cm). That, however, includes the tail as well. This part of the body often comprises roughly half its length.
The body of the rodent develops as slim and elongated. Most specimens reach an average body weight of only 2.6 – 4.9 oz (75 – 140 gms). Exceptional specimens occur, of course. Even these, though, rarely exceed these measurements by more than a small fraction.
It also displays several adaptations useful for its lifestyle. This includes comparatively large, black eyes. It also has the ability to rotate its hind feet, allowing it to climb down trees head first. Its fleshy membrane, however, remains its most noticeable physical feature.
In coloring, the Northern Flying Squirrel presents a pattern of shades of light brown on the upper body. Yet, it also presents as gray on the flanks of its body. The underside, though, typically manifests a whitish shade. Its tail develops as fluffy, yet somewhat flattened.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Sciuridae
- Genus: Glaucomys
- Species: G. sabrinus
Northern Flying Squirrel Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The fabulous Northern Flying Squirrel evolved as native to a part of the globe well known for its abundance of wildlife. That’s due to the fact that the amazing rodent lives on the continent of North America. There, though, its population remains somewhat disjointed.
As its name implies, the majority of its numbers appear in the northern part of the continent. More specifically, most of its population lives in Canada. It also appears as far north as the state of Alaska, though. The small wonder of Nature also appears in the United States.
In that country, it’s scattered, though. To the west, it’s seen in California and Colorado. From there, it’s also seen to the northeast in Wisconsin and Michigan. In the east, the animal also lives in regions of Tennessee and North Carolina, in the Appalachian Mountains.
In each of these regions, however, it displays identical habitat preferences. Populations most often appear in areas dominated by conifers. Some do, though, make their homes in regions of deciduous or mixed forests. It also prefers dense concentrations of trees, as well.
The Northern Flying Squirrel evolved as a nocturnal animal. It’s also primarily arboreal in nature. On the ground, it’s relatively clumsy. Among the trees, though, it glides from limb to limb gracefully. Its main predators include hawks, owls, martens, and coyotes, among others.
Its diet remains typical of its kind. As a herbivore, it consumes a wide variety of locally available food. This typically includes such staples as nuts, fungi, acorns, lichens, fruits, buds, and tree sap. It does, however, occasionally supplement this with insects and bird eggs.
Hoary Marmot
Hoary Marmot Facts
- Appearing next in this compilation of 3 Rather Remarkable Rodents you will find the distinctive animal known as the Hoary Marmot.
- The most notable things about this remarkable animal might surprise many of you. That’s because this animal actually represents a variety of ground squirrel. This incredible creature further ranks as the largest in its range, surprising one again.
- This amazing mammal additionally remains a surprisingly intelligent creature. This statement remains evidenced by its demonstrated patterns of behavior. That’s due to the fact that while the colony feeds, a few individuals watch for predators.
- As, a result of this behavioral pattern, if a threat appears, the ever vigilant sentry quickly emits a high-pitched warning cry. Due to the nature of this outcry, in some parts of its range the Hoary Marmot has been given the name of whistle pig.
- Quite thankfully, its numbers appear to be both sufficient and stable, at least for the moment. For this reason, the IUCN currently ranks the beautiful creature as Least Concern. That could potentially change, however, due to the actions of man.
- Sadly, numerous factors related to human civilization now threaten the species. Habitat loss certainly ranks as one of these, of course, due to human expansion. Its greatest threat, however, must be considered to be the ongoing effects of climate change.
Hoary Marmot Physical Description
Quite amazingly, that the impressive Hoary Marmot represents a large type of ground squirrel determines much. It has a bulky build, with a broad head, and also short, but powerful limbs. It also, however, displays a marked degree of sexual dimorphism.
In its specific case, though, this manifests itself in the fact that the males grow much larger than females. That applies to both it and its subspecies. Mature males average a body length of 22 in (55.9 cm). These same individuals also have a tail of about 9.8 in (25 cm).
The females, meanwhile, only average roughly 17.3 in (43.9 cm) in body length. These further possess a tail of 6.7 in (17 cm). The same females also tend to be somewhat less stocky in build. Weights for both genders vary significantly, depending on the season.
The term hoary remains a reference to the fur on the upper back and shoulders of the fabulous Hoary Marmot. That’s because this part of its fur displays a silvery-gray color. This remains in stark contrast to the tan or reddish-brown color the rest of the body shows.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Sciuridae
- Genus: Marmota
- Species: M. caligata
Hoary Marmot Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Perhaps most notably, the fabulous Hoary Marmot only inhabits a comparatively limited portion of northwest North America. This region includes parts of Idaho, Washington, and Alaska, in the United States, and also British Columbia in Canada.
Even more precisely, the intrepid rodent also displays highly specific preferences regarding its choice of habitats. These primarily consist of mountainous alpine ecosystems. It also thrives best at altitudes ranging from sea level up to as much as 8,200 ft (2,500 m).
Within that range, however, individuals frequently live in either areas of grasslands and sedge, or rocky regions. It also inhabits several small islands near Alaska, however. There, the animal tends to live near the shoreline, having proven itself to be adaptable.
The Hoary Marmot further appears to be entirely herbivorous in terms of its dietary nature. Although exact diets vary, this fascinating large rodent mainly consumes grasses, sedge, leaves, and flowers. It also evolved as diurnal in nature, like many mammals.
Remarkably, the animal additionally has a highly prolonged hibernation period. In point of fact, it commonly spends 7-8 months of the year in this state. This period it spends in large, deep burrows, commonly shared by a colony of as many as 36 individuals.
Indian Giant Squirrel
Indian Giant Squirrel Facts
- Closing out this compendium of 3 Rather Remarkable Rodents comes the stunningly colorful animal known as the Indian Giant Squirrel.
- Clearly, this wondrous animal represents an extremely large variety of tree squirrel. It also sometimes goes by the alternate common name of the Malabar Giant Squirrel. Its scientific name, though, remains the hard to pronounce Ratufa indica.
- This magnificent creature owes its technical name to the German naturalist, Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben. That’s due to the fact that he made the first formal recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. This he did in the year 1777.
- Scientists also presently acknowledge four different subspecies of the mammal. Amazingly, all of these exist on the same continent as the primary species. Though not unknown, such close association among species and subspecies remains uncommon.
- It also boasts a status that not many species can make. Within its endemic range, the animal appears to exist in fairly large numbers. Due to this pleasantly surprising fact, the IUCN currently lists the stunning animal as a Species of Least Concern.
- Unlike most related species, this stunning creature actually evolved as quite vocal. This represents yet another manner in which the Indian Giant Squirrel distinguishes itself. It also produces different sounds for such things as warnings, mating, and territorial calls.
Indian Giant Squirrel Physical Description
The Indian Giant Squirrel impresses the viewer due to more than just its incredible appearance. That’s because it also qualifies as a true giant of its kind. Somewhat surprisingly, though, it displays no noticeable degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism.
Mature adults of both genders therefore attain the same general size. That’s an average body length of about 14 in (35.5 cm). The tail then adds another 24 in (61 cm). Despite its size, it does not attain a great weight. Mature adults also typically average about 4.4 lb (2 kg).
Its size alone does not make this impressive species stand out to observers. It generally presents a stunning pattern of natural coloring. This holds true due to the amazing fact that it generally presents a two-toned, and sometimes even a three-toned, color pattern.
The amazing coloring of the Indian Giant Squirrel does not stop there. Its exact pattern and combinations of colors also varies between individuals. These, though, most commonly consist of shades of tan, buff, rust, brown, and even, on rare occasions, a creamy-beige.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Sciuridae
- Genus: Ratufa
- Species: R. indica
Indian Giant Squirrel Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Most unfortunately, the almost kaleidoscopic Indian Giant Squirrel evolved as endemic to a comparatively limited section of the globe. More precisely, the fabulous rodent inhabits a specific portion of Asia. That’s the region now known as the country of India.
More specifically, this range consists of the peninsular part of the country. That range is restricted, though, only extending as far north as the Madhya Pradesh. There, however, the wonder of Nature thankfully evolved a highly helpful versatility in regards to its habitat.
That’s because the visually breathtaking animal actually thrives in several different habitat types within that area. Due to this, it appears in evergreen forests, deciduous forests, and mixed forests, as well. This adaptability also sets it apart from related species.
This marvel of evolution also spends the vast majority of its time in the upper canopy of its region. In point of fact, the living kaleidoscope rarely ever descends form this location. Instead, it moves from tree to tree with great leaps, that can be as much as 20 ft (6 m).
Some of the subspecies of the creature evolved as omnivorous in nature. The Indian Giant Squirrel itself, however, has a herbivorous diet. It mainly feeds on various nuts, flowers, fruit, and tree bark. In turn, it itself mainly falls prey to leopards and birds of prey.
3 Rather Remarkable Rodents
We sincerely hope that you have all thoroughly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article about 3 Rather Remarkable Rodents. It’s also our fervent hope that doing so has left you with a new or renewed appreciation for such marvels of Nature.
Sadly, though, many of their related species now find themselves facing dire threats to their continued existence. Many of these dangers stem either directly or indirectly from the actions of humans. It’s up to each of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve them.
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