Baby flying squirrel takes flight

Have you ever seen how a flying squirrel moves through the trees? Watch the video to find out about this amazing little animal!

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. Remember, you can read the transcript at any time.

Preparation

Transcript

High in the trees, one mammal gets about without touching the ground: the Siberian squirrel. It can glide.

A furry membrane stretches from its wrists to its ankles. There could hardly be a more efficient way of travelling.

At this time of the year, the female squirrels are not only feeding for themselves. They're also raising families. A disused woodpecker's nest hole protects the young squirrels from the sub-zero temperature. Their mother's precious milk must sustain them throughout the winter.

Five weeks later, the warmth of spring has transformed the forests. It's time for the young squirrels to leave the shelter of their nest. But first flights are somewhat daunting.

One of the youngsters seems keen, and one, not quite so confident. The first climbs up the tree while the other watches. The higher up they go, the further they will glide.

And then … lift-off!

Made it.

But the other seems to have pre-flight nerves. Perhaps he'll try … tomorrow.


© BBC
 

Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (20 votes)
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Submitted by Timmy_tamer on Sat, 07/03/2026 - 03:32

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Hi people, greentings from Argentina!

The video is amazing, and I love the squirrels, they are so cute and the nature is divine and awesome!!

 

Submitted by Ssannmm on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 11:26

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First of all, this animal is so cute!! I adore this little creature. I hadn’t heard anything about this kind of squirrel but I was surprised by the way it moves in this extreme habitat.

Submitted by Florenz01 on Sat, 21/02/2026 - 05:55

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It’s amazing to see how the little Siberian squirrels learn to fly! Nature always surprises us with such smart ways to move and survive

Submitted by miriam-chon on Sat, 21/02/2026 - 05:21

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The Siberian flying squirrel is quite amazing: it’s like a tiny spring and looks just like a leaf drifting from tree to tree. It’s impressive to see what their life is like before they take flight. I don't know of any other animals exactly like the Siberian squirrel, but I’m really interested in learning more about how different animals live and move

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Submitted by eshmuradova on Mon, 16/02/2026 - 17:38

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well, hello dear people who start learn English. I have watched this video, but I can't say I understand for this one I need too watch again improve my general English ,but for you I wish you all the best

Submitted by dyah ayu on Thu, 05/02/2026 - 08:56

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The Basilisk Lizard, this lizard can actually run on water. By using its fringed feet to create air pockets and moving its legs in a rapid, bicycle-like motion, it generates enough lift to stay above the surface.

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Submitted by Ghofran21 on Mon, 24/02/2025 - 17:55

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This is my frist time to know about the siberian squirrel ,they are wonderful creatures,the way the glide on the ari and the way their mother sustains them by the milk amazed me.

Submitted by M-M on Sat, 11/01/2025 - 09:59

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They are a wonderful and enchanting expression of nature power. And I'm thinking of all the cetaceans, mammals that swim, exchanged for fishes all along lots of centuries
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