Baby Flying Squirrel Takes Flight for the First Time | Mammals | BBC Earth

BBC Earth

2 May 202403:27

Summary

TLDRThe video script narrates the life of Siberian squirrels, highlighting their unique gliding ability using a furry membrane from wrists to ankles. It details their winter survival strategy, with females nursing their young in a woodpecker's nest to protect them from the harsh cold. As spring arrives, the young squirrels face the challenge of their first flight, showcasing a mix of eagerness and apprehension, as they prepare to leave the nest and embrace their new life.

Takeaways

🌳 The Siberian squirrel is a mammal that can glide without touching the ground, thanks to a furry membrane stretching from its wrists to its ankles.
🛫 This gliding ability is an efficient way of traveling for the Siberian squirrel, allowing it to move through the forest with ease.
👶 The female squirrels are responsible for feeding themselves and their young during the colder months.
🏠 The young squirrels are protected from the sub-zero temperatures by a disused woodpecker's nest hole, which serves as their shelter.
🍼 The mother's milk is crucial for the survival of the young squirrels throughout the harsh winter season.
🌱 As spring arrives, the forest warms up, signaling the time for the young squirrels to leave their nest.
🚀 The first flights of the young squirrels can be daunting, with some showing more eagerness than others.
🌲 The young squirrels climb higher up the trees before attempting their first glide, which increases the distance they can cover.
🎉 The first young squirrel successfully completes its glide, marking a significant milestone in its development.
😅 One young squirrel appears to have pre-flight nerves and hesitates, suggesting it might try again the next day.

Q & A

What unique ability does the Siberian squirrel have for getting around in the trees?
-The Siberian squirrel can glide. It has a furry membrane that stretches from its wrists to its ankles, allowing it to glide efficiently without touching the ground.
What time of the year is the script referring to when the female squirrels are raising their families?
-The script does not specify the exact season, but it implies a cold time of the year, as the female squirrels are preparing for winter by feeding and raising their young.
How do the young squirrels stay protected from the harsh sub-zero temperatures?
-The young squirrels are kept in a disused woodpecker's nest hole, which provides shelter from the cold sub-zero temperatures.
What is the role of the mother squirrel's milk in sustaining the young throughout the winter?
-The mother squirrel's milk is essential for the young squirrels' survival, as it provides them with the necessary nutrition to sustain them throughout the winter.
How many weeks later does the script mention after the young squirrels are born before they leave their nest?
-The script mentions that five weeks later, the young squirrels are ready to leave their nest.
What season is it when the young squirrels are ready to leave their nest according to the script?
-It is springtime when the young squirrels are ready to leave their nest, as the script mentions the warmth of spring has transformed the forests.
What challenges do the young squirrels face during their first flights?
-The young squirrels face daunting first flights, with one of them appearing keen and the other showing signs of pre-flight nerves.
How does the script describe the process of the young squirrels preparing for their first flight?
-The script describes the young squirrels climbing up the tree to gain height, which will allow them to glide further during their first flight.
What is the outcome of the first young squirrel's attempt to glide?
-The first young squirrel successfully completes its glide, as indicated by the script's statement 'Made it.'
What does the second young squirrel's behavior suggest about its readiness for the first flight?
-The second young squirrel's behavior suggests that it is not yet ready for the first flight, as it appears to have pre-flight nerves and may try again the next day.

Outlines

00:00

🐿️ Siberian Squirrels' Gliding and Family Life

This paragraph introduces the unique lifestyle of Siberian squirrels, which can glide through the trees using a furry membrane that stretches from their wrists to their ankles. It highlights the squirrels' ability to efficiently travel without touching the ground and their role as parents, especially during winter when female squirrels must sustain their young with milk in the cold. The paragraph also describes how the young squirrels are protected in a disused woodpecker's nest hole and the challenges they face when taking their first flights in the spring.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Siberian squirrel

The Siberian squirrel is a specific species of squirrel native to the Siberian region. It is characterized by its ability to glide, which is a unique adaptation that allows it to move through the forest canopy without touching the ground. In the video, the Siberian squirrel's gliding ability is a central theme, illustrating its efficient mode of travel and highlighting its distinctiveness from other squirrel species.

💡Glide

Gliding refers to the act of moving smoothly and continuously along a surface or through the air without exerting much effort. In the context of the video, the Siberian squirrel's ability to glide is a key feature, showcasing its unique method of locomotion. The script describes how the squirrel uses a furry membrane stretching from its wrists to its ankles to achieve this, making it an efficient and graceful traveler in the treetops.

💡Furry membrane

A furry membrane is a specialized anatomical feature that some animals, like the Siberian squirrel, possess. It is a stretch of skin covered with fur that extends between the limbs, allowing for gliding. In the video, the furry membrane is what enables the Siberian squirrel to glide from tree to tree, providing an example of how animals adapt to their environments for efficient movement and survival.

💡Woodpecker's nest hole

A woodpecker's nest hole is a cavity in a tree that has been excavated by a woodpecker for nesting purposes. In the video, the female Siberian squirrel uses a disused woodpecker's nest hole as a shelter for her young, protecting them from the harsh sub-zero temperatures of Siberia. This concept is important as it demonstrates the resourcefulness of animals in utilizing existing structures for their own survival and the protection of their offspring.

💡Sub-zero temperature

Sub-zero temperature refers to any temperature below the freezing point of water, which is 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In the video, the sub-zero temperatures of Siberia are a significant factor in the survival of the young squirrels, as they must be kept warm and protected in the nest. The script emphasizes the harshness of the environment and the importance of the mother's care in providing warmth and sustenance.

💡Pregnant squirrels

Pregnant squirrels are female squirrels that are carrying unborn offspring. In the video, the script mentions that the female squirrels are not only feeding for themselves but also raising families, indicating that they are pregnant or nursing their young. This concept is central to the video's theme of survival and family care, as it shows the dual responsibilities of the female squirrels in ensuring their own survival and that of their young.

💡Spring

Spring is one of the four seasons and typically marks a time of renewal and growth in the natural world. In the video, the arrival of spring signifies a change in the environment that prompts the young squirrels to leave their nest. The script uses the transition to spring as a narrative device to show the passage of time and the development of the squirrels from infancy to independence.

💡First flights

First flights refer to the initial attempts at flying made by young animals, such as the Siberian squirrels in the video. The script describes the first flights as 'somewhat daunting,' highlighting the challenges faced by the young squirrels as they learn to navigate their environment. The concept of first flights is integral to the video's narrative, illustrating the growth and development of the squirrels as they prepare to face the world on their own.

💡Lift-off

Lift-off is a term used to describe the moment when an object begins to ascend into the air, overcoming gravity. In the context of the video, lift-off is used metaphorically to describe the young squirrel's first successful glide from the tree. This term is significant as it captures the moment of triumph and independence for the young squirrel, marking a milestone in its life.

💡Pre-flight nerves

Pre-flight nerves refer to the anxiety or apprehension experienced before taking off, especially in the context of flying or gliding. In the video, one of the young squirrels seems to have pre-flight nerves, hesitating before attempting its first glide. This concept is used to add depth to the narrative, showing the emotional response of the young squirrel and the natural hesitation before a significant life event.

💡Tomorrow

In the context of the video, 'tomorrow' is used to suggest a future time when the less confident young squirrel might attempt its first flight. The script implies that the squirrel's hesitation is temporary, and it will likely try again the next day. This use of 'tomorrow' is significant as it conveys a sense of hope and the possibility of overcoming fear and inexperience.

Highlights

A Siberian squirrel is adept at gliding through the trees without touching the ground.

The squirrel utilizes a furry membrane that stretches from its wrists to its ankles for gliding.

This gliding method is an efficient way of traveling for the Siberian squirrel.

Female squirrels are responsible for feeding themselves and their young during this season.

A disused woodpecker's nest hole provides shelter for the young squirrels from harsh sub-zero temperatures.

The mother squirrel's milk is crucial for the survival of her offspring throughout the winter.

Spring's warmth marks the time for young squirrels to leave their nest.

The young squirrels' first flights are both exciting and intimidating.

One young squirrel is eager to take its first flight, while another appears less confident.

The height of the tree is significant for the distance the squirrels can glide.

The first young squirrel successfully completes its first flight.

The second young squirrel hesitates and considers trying the flight the next day.

The Siberian squirrel's gliding ability is a unique adaptation to its arboreal lifestyle.

The young squirrels' development is closely tied to the changing seasons and availability of food.

The nest provides a safe environment for the young to grow and prepare for their first flight.

The mother squirrel's nurturing is vital for the young to thrive during the harsh winter months.

The transition from winter to spring signifies a new chapter in the young squirrels' lives.

The young squirrels must overcome their fears to embrace their gliding capabilities.