Some Baby Boomers who were kids in the classic cartoon age might be surprised to learn that, yes, there is such a thing as a flying squirrel. "Rocky," brainy cartoon complement to Bullwinkle, really was inspired by nature.

In other news: some Baby Boomers are remarkably ignorant.

But that's the end of Rocky's link to reality.

I'm glad he cleared that up.

I had a flying squirrell on my balcony for a while. Named him Bonzo.

Cute little guy.

Can't vomit, flying squirrels. Don't know how.

I am so disappointed that squirrels actually don't make jet engine noises when they fly.

For one thing, there are two species of flying squirrels in North America -- northern and southern -- both of which live in Pennsylvania. Rocky's animators made no attempt to distinguish which kind he was.

He was obviously a northern. He didn't have a southern accent.

Kurmudgeon: I am so disappointed that squirrels actually don't make jet engine noises when they fly.

Personally, I was let down by the lack of little flying caps and goggles

But enough about Steelers fans.

Flying squirrels:

Link

And now here's something we hope you'll really like...

they're the wrong kind of flying squirrel



Rocky says, "that's racist"

20 Years or so ago I used to see flying squirrels up in Northern Minnesota quite often during the day, despite their nocturnal preference. Haven't seen any for many years now. They were pretty cool little things and they would set up nests in brush piles. A few learned the right height to glide down to bird feeders.



Other things I rarely see anymore up there are Pileated Woodpeckers and Luna Moths.

Imposture! As you can see, this is a gray vole wearing a red squirrel skin over its real fur.

He's one of these fake flying squirrels, muscling on the flying squirrel territory under false pretences.

St_Francis_P: In other news: some Baby Boomers are remarkably ignorant.

There's a TV Tropes entry about it.

Optimal_Illusion: There's a TV Tropes entry about it.

...

You posted this comment nearly two hours ago. I... I just got back.

This is what the right kind of squirrel looks like.

Wait, Pennsylvania has Flying Squirrels also?