Where to find flying squirrels

Northern flying squirrels Glaucomys sabrinus and southern flying squirrels Glaucomys volans are the only two native flying squirrel species found in North America.

They are both gray-brown, but the northern flying squirrel has belly fur that is gray at the base, and for the southern flying squirrel the belly fur is all white. Size is another way to tell northern and southern flying squirrels apart. The southern species is smaller, about 8 to 10 inches in length.

Northern flying squirrels are 10 to 12 inches long. Flying squirrels glide. They have a special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees.

When a flying squirrel wants to travel to another tree without touching the ground, it launches itself from a high branch and spreads out its limbs so the gliding membrane is exposed.

It uses slight movements of the legs to steer, and the tail acts as a brake upon reaching its destination. Flying squirrels can cover more than feet in a single glide. The southern flying squirrel is found throughout the eastern United States, from Maine south to Florida and west from Minnesota south to Texas.

The northern flying squirrel has a much patchier distribution, but is found primarily in the Northeast, along the West Coast, and into Idaho and Montana. Flying squirrels live in deciduous and coniferous forests and woodlands. They make their homes in snags, woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and abandoned nests of birds and other squirrels.

Sometimes multiple squirrels will nest together to keep warm in the winter. Thanks to their superb gliding abilities, flying squirrels are great escape artists. Once a flying squirrel lands on a tree trunk following a flight, it promptly scurries to the other side of the trunk to avoid any predators that may have followed it.

Nevertheless, owls, hawks, tree snakes, and climbing mammals frequently manage to catch and consume these tiny rodents. In warmer weather, they eat various types of vegetation, including mushrooms, persimmons, wild grapes and the bark of many hardwood trees. Though they do not hibernate, flying squirrels nest together in groups during winter. They can reduce their metabolic rate and body temperature to conserve energy, and they benefit from one another's radiant heat.

Social reasons also encourage the behavior among related flying squirrels. The females are attentive mothers. They maintain several secondary nests to which they can bring their young to keep them safe. A flying squirrel was once seen moving her young during a forest fire and being singed in the process. Also, she will not hesitate to defend her young, even if is she is outnumbered or if her foe is larger.

Baby flying squirrels are usually weaned when they are about six to eight weeks old. The newly born young are usually about 2. They are blind, pink and hairless. Their eyes open in about three weeks. The gliding membrane, however, is already fully developed. The southern flying squirrel can glide over 80 yards. They stretch out their legs, spreading out the fold of skin between the front and hind legs to form a glider wing. While gliding, they are very agile and can turn and change their angle of decent.

They land very lightly on all four feet. In contrast, however, flying squirrels are relatively clumsy on the ground. Some food is stored in the nest chamber and also in tree crotches. The northern flying squirrel feeds primarily on nuts and seeds, but also eats some insects, and probably stores much food for winter use.

Southern flying squirrels are found throughout the e astern United States , expect for northern New England and the southern tip of Florida, west to Minnesota, eastern Kansas and eastern Texas. They inhabit woodlots and forests of broadleaf and evergreen trees.

Southern flying squirrels favor old woodpecker holes as nest sites, but they may build a summer nest of leaves, twigs and bark. They have also been known to use the attics of buildings to build their nests. In the winter, 20 or more southern flying squirrels may even den together. Squirrels can be much more than just a nuisance. Learn more about these creatures and how to keep wildlife in the wild. People are spending significantly more time in their living environments than ever before, potentially attracting pests.

Raccoons are particularly a concern in areas where their populations are thriving, such as the east coast and in cities. Learn more about these wild animals.

Along the west coast, there are five squirrel species that frequent backyards and occasionally the confines of our homes. Learn more about these species. Read on to find out what squirrels look like, what they eat, where they live and whether or not they are a threat to humans.

Advanced Search International Search. What Are Flying Squirrels? Flying Squirrel Identification. Color Depending on the species, flying squirrels range in color from white to gray to brown with a pale belly.