I was out working in my yard and an animal seemed to fall from one of my trees. I watched the animal from a distance and it looked like a baby squirrel. It was dazed, but after a few minutes started hopping, not running, hopping. It was very small, brownish, a flat tail, very large eyes, and had skin between it's legs. It hopped around and eventually climbed back up the tree. When it climbed up the tree it was when I noticed the typical 'flying' body. Is this actually a flying squirrel? Are they endangered? I have never seen one and have lived in the area for 30+ years. I love animals and was concerned that it was not native and would need help to survive.

The animal you describe sounds like a southern flying squirrel; a species native to Illinois. They are found throughout Illinois, but are more common in the southern part of the state. They are not endangered in Illinois. You can learn more about them at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/directory_show.cfm?species=treesquirrels