petalpethi

Petauristini (English) [ IPA: Petauristini ASM: টাউৰিষ্টিনি]
Contributed by: Kulendra Daulagupu on 2009-08-16
1. Animal(Common Noun-Common) Flying squirrels, scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini, are a tribe of 44 species of squirrels (family Sciuridae). Flying squirrels are incapable of sustained flight, instead they glide between trees, with flights recorded to 90 m. The direction and speed of the animal in midair is varied by changing the positions of its two arms and legs, largely controlled by small cartilaginous wrist bones. This changes the tautness of the patagium, a fuzzy parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. It has a fluffy tail that stabilizes in flight. The tail acts as an adjunct airfoil, working as an air brake before landing on a tree trunk.