The name flying mitten is fitting, since while gliding, the squirrel appears to be completely flattened, much like a mitten. When not gliding, the squirrel sometimes looks as if it were wearing a gray fur coat several sizes too big!
Lidvāvere, kas planējumā atgādina lidojošu taisnstūri ar asti, pārvietodamās pa koku, mēdz izskatīties tā, it kā valkātu pelēku kažoku, kas tai ir vismaz pāris izmēru par lielu.