Flyng Squirrel?

Question

I live in Houston, Texas. Have seen something unknown lately at night in yard. Conjurs up thoughts of flying squirrel, although they are not reported to live in this part of the country. It is small, dark brown and seems to both fly and run. I did not see a long tail and it did not appear to be a typical rodent as it seemed almost "webbed" along it's sides. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Actually, Houston is within the known range of the Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). It sounds like you may very well be lucky enough to have seen one.

Here's a map showing the range of the Southern flying squirrel http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/images/dmap120.jpg

And a page with more information about them http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/glauvola.htm

Answer 2

Does sound like a flying squirrel, or a bat anyways. The webbing is the clue.

Answer 3

It is also possible that the animal you saw was a bat. Certain types of bats will also "walk" on their wings. This behaviour ic commonly seen with vampire bats for instance, but many bats can use their wings as stilts, allowing them to walk across the ground, this gives them access to places too small to fly into.
Because the wings are membranous and leathery, you would have seen it as a webbed material on its sides.

here is a picture:
http://pharyngula.org/images/galloping_vampire_bat.jpg

Answer 4

If he is he wearing an old fighter pilot hat with goggles and has a friend who is a moose, it's probably a flying squirrel.

Answer 5

Probably a Bat

Answer 6

I've seen something like that in pet shops called a Sugerglider. but I think they are from South America. I know they are nocturnal and have "webbed" sides.

Answer 7

altho you do have both in your area, it sounds more like a bat