SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL 17 



from being taken into the mouth, and is thus effective when the 

 possessor is gnawing some obstruction. 



Thirty-one forms of rodents have been recorded from Iowa and 

 are discussed in this paper. These represent six families, five of 

 which belong to. the suborder Simplicidentata. 



SQUIRRELS, WOODCHUCKS, SPERMOPHILES, ETC. 



Family SCIUR!D>E. 



This is a family of wide distribution and high specialization, 

 and in Iowa some of the forms are so abundant and destructive 

 as to be worthy of consideration in their economic relations. They 

 vary in form and habits from the arboreal flying squirrel fitted for 

 semi-aerial progression, to the terrestrial and fossorial woodchuck. 

 Some forms hibernate in our latitude. Many of the forms are 

 more or less brilliantly colored, reds, yellows, and browns predom- 

 inating. 



SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL. FLYING SQUIRREL. 

 Glaucomys volans volans (Linnaeus). 



[Mus] volans Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., X ed., I, 63, 1758. 



Description. Upper parts grayish or grayish brown, more or 

 less shaded with russet, with the upper surface of tail slightly 

 darker ; most of the upper surface of flying membrane dark brown ; 

 under parts white, the hairs entirely white at the bases; under 

 surface of tail buify or buffy white ; fur very smooth and soft. In 

 winter, the coloration is similar, but the upper parts are more 

 deeply tinged with grayish brown. 



Measurements. Total length, 9.25 inches, tail vertebrae, 3.90 

 inches; hind foot, 1.20 inches. 



Habits, Distribution, Etc. This little squirrel seems to be fairly 

 common in rather heavily wooded areas throughout the state, but 

 is more abundant in the eastern half. It is not often seen by the 

 average person because of its nocturnal habits, though it sometimes 

 comes out in late afternoon. One of its common methods of progres- 

 sion is to climb to the top of a high tree and then to launch forth 

 into the air when, by means of the expanded integument at the sides 

 of the body, it is able to glide to the lower branches or trunk of a 

 tree often some distance away. And thus the animals, while they 

 .are not able to "fly" can glide from a higher to a lower point. 



