Page 3 - Kind News, Jr. Teaching Guide Jan/Feb 2022

ANSWER KEY DO ACTIVITIES

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Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7 KINDNEWS.ORG!

Our mystery critter is the flying squirrel. This unique rodent
lives primarily on three main continents: North America (with small
populations in Central America), Asia, and Africa. There are two North
American species of flying squirrel: the northern flying squirrel and the
southern flying squirrel. Flying squirrels live across a range of climates,
but survive best in forested areas. However, since they are nocturnal,
people don’t often get the opportunity to see them. They are omnivorous
and eat a variety of foods, including mushrooms, berries, bird eggs,
insects, and flowers. They are also very resourceful and can store up to
15,000 nuts in a single season!
Flying squirrels are known for their ability to glide from tree to tree. They can
travel more than 150 feet with one glide, at up to 20 miles per hour! The membrane
stretching from their wrists to their ankles, called a patagium, is what allows them to glide. It also acts as a para-
chute. When they want to glide from one tree to the next, they launch themselves from a high branch, spread out
their limbs, and steer with their legs and tail. They use their tail and cartilage near their wrists to help them stop.
A few species of flying squirrel are endangered. The San Bernardino flying squirrel in California faces decline as
the fungi they rely on for food has become less available due to the effects of climate change. The Virginia northern
flying squirrel’s populations in West Virginia have also declined drastically because of clearing of red spruce trees
in their habitat. However, people have helped the Virginia northern flying squirrel’s population start to grow again
by working to restore spruce forests. You can help flying squirrels by raising awareness about their habitat and
doing your part to combat climate change! For more information, visit nwf.org and search “flying squirrel.”

What Do Animals Do In The Winter? Crossword
opposite page: andy holmes/unsplash; redrover. this page: (critter clues) bigstock.
FROM PAGE 6
1
F
2 3 ACROSS
H O B
4. Squirrels
I R I 5. Adapt

B A R 6. Migrate
E G D

4 DOWN Where’s Raja?

S Q U I R R E L S
1. Forage RAJA IS HIDING ON PAGE 8!
N 2. Hibernating
A 3. Birds
5
A D A P T
I Word Scramble FROM PAGE 3

N ANSWER KEY
6 1. Toys 3. Water
M I G R A T E
2. Wheels 4. Paper