The eastern grey squirrel is a skilled climber, having sharp claws for gripping, and long toes for holding onto the uneven surfaces of tree trunks. It is also built for leaping: its bones are light, and when the animal jumps from trunk to trunk, the loose skin flanks spreads out like a parachute, preventing it from falling too quickly. As it leaps, the squirrel fluffs out its tail, gaining extra lift.