W I L D L I F E P R O F I L E S
Southern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
This diminutive rodent with
the big saucerlike eyes is proba-
bly the most common mammal
never seen by humans in North
Carolina. It occupies habitat simi-
lar to that of the gray squirrel
and, to a lesser extent, the fox
squirrel, yet because it is a noc-
turnal species, it is not seen as
often as the other two. It is truly
arboreal, gliding from tree to tree ing a 3- to 4-inch-long tail. Its to 2 inches in diameter but will
on folds of outstretched skin. fur is a lustrous reddish brown also customize holes to fit. In
or gray, although its belly is Sandhills longleaf pine forests
History and Status counter-colored a creamy white. where suppression of natural
The southern flying squir- This squirrel’s most distinc- periodic fires has allowed scrub
rel is one of two flying squirrels tive feature is the cape of loose oaks to grow in dense thickets,
found in North America—the skin that stretches from its wrists southern flying squirrels have
other one is the northern flying to its ankles and forms the mem- been known to occupy the pine
squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). brane on which it glides. The cavities of the endangered red-
A total of 35 species of flying membrane is bordered in black. cockaded woodpecker. Though
squirrels in the family Sciuridae When the squirrel stretches its some contend that the squirrels
exists worldwide, most of them legs to their fullest extent, the compete with this woodpecker
in Asian countries. Both south- membrane opens and supports for its cavities, there is no evi-
ern and northern flying squir- the animal on glides of consid- dence for this.
rels are found in North Carolina, erable distance. The most distinctive trait of
although the northern flying Flying squirrels produce a the squirrel is the way it glides
squirrel is rare, occurring on birdlike chirping sound. Some of from tree to tree. It does not “fly”
only five or six mountain ridges their vocalizations are not audi- so much as it parachutes. When
in the western part of the state. ble to the human ear. it desires to travel, it climbs to the
Both flying squirrels are top of a tree and jumps. The glid-
considered nongame species, Habitat and Habits ing membrane billows up, and by
but only the Carolina northern Southern flying squirrels live varying the tension on its mem-
flying squirrel is listed as an in hardwood and in mixed pine- brane and using its tail as a rud-
endangered species by the hardwood forests. They require der, the squirrel can direct its
federal government. older trees with cavities for roost-
ing and nesting and in winter
Description readily roost in surprisingly
The southern flying squir- large numbers—tree
rel is smaller than its northern cavities with as
cousin and ranks as the smallest many as 50 roost-
of the state’s five tree squirrel ing squirrels have
species, which include the red been found. Because of their
squirrel, fox squirrel and gray need for cavities, they are a
squirrel. It weighs no more than natural competitor for wood-
2 or 3 ounces and measures from pecker’s cavities. They prefer Range Map:
81/2 inches to 97/8 inches, includ- cavities with entrances from 11/2 Found statewide
W I L D L I F E P R O F I L E S
“flight” around branches and other
obstacles with remarkable agility.
WILD
It can turn suddenly at a 90-degree
angle to the direction of its glide.
Northern
Flying Squirrel Facts
101/4-121/4 in.
The longest flight at one time has
been measured at around 200 feet,
although typically the distance is SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL
much shorter. The flying squirrel
lands hind feet first, head up, and Classification
scampers to the other side of the Southern Class: Mammalia
Flying Squirrel Order: Rodentia
tree to avoid detection. It glides 81/2-9 7/8 in.
downward at about a 30-degree Family: Sciuridae
angle. Thus on a long journey, fly-
ing squirrels repeatedly climb Size
and glide until they reach their Length: From 81/2 in. to 97/8
destination. Like other squirrels, in., including a 3- to 4-in.-
the southern flying squirrel can into Mexico. Its close kin, the long tail.
hop from branch to branch and northern flying squirrel, roams Weight: Adults weigh no
even move along the ground. throughout Canada, down into more than 2 or 3 oz.
Mothers will move their young some of our northern states and
if their nest is disturbed. If a nest along the Appalachian spine. Food
tree falls, for example, the mother Omnivorous. Acorns and
grasps one of her babies by the People Interactions nuts carry them through
slack skin of its belly, climbs a tree Though the nocturnal activi- the winter. Fruit, berries,
holding it in her mouth and glides ties of southern flying squirrels flower blossums and buds
to the new nest location. Return- make them hard to detect, they in season. Bird nestlings
ing by the same route, she repeats will take up residence in just about and eggs, animal carcasses.
these steps until all her young are any kind of nest box in a subur-
moved. Males do not assist with ban setting as long as deciduous Breeding
the rearing of the young squirrels. trees are nearby. Bluebird boxes Twice a year, in January
Southern flying squirrels seek attract flying squirrels. and February and again
nests in hardwood trees that pro- in June and July, although
vide cavities—natural or made References not all females breed twice.
by woodpeckers—and seeds and Boynton, Allen. “Northern Flying Squir-
nuts. A typical nest will be lined
rel,” Wildlife Profiles, Set 5 (N.C. Wildlife Young
Resources Commission, 1994).
with finely chewed bark, espe- Earley, Lawrence S. “Tree-top Rivals,”
Produce 1 to 6 young,
cially cedar bark in the East, and Wildlife in North Carolina, February 1984, although the average lit-
grasses. Lichen, moss and even pp. 23-27. ter contains 2 to 3 young.
feathers provide a soft bed. The Webster, David, James F. Parnell and Gestation is 40 days. They
Walter C. Biggs Jr. Mammals of the Caro- weigh less than a quarter of
squirrels are omnivorous. They linas, Virginia and Maryland (University of
store hard mast—nuts and acorns North Carolina Press, 1985).
an ounce at birth. Young can
—in nests, in tree crevices and on glide in 8 weeks. They stay
the ground. They also eat fungi, Credits with their mother until the
berries, fruits and seeds, flower Written by Lawrence S. Earley. next litter is born. Young
blossoms and buds in season, and Illustrated by J.T. Newman. mature in one year.
Produced July 1996 by the Division of
even animal carcasses, bird eggs Conservation Education, N.C. Wildlife
and nestlings. Resources Commission.
Life Expectancy
The Wildlife Resources Commission Up to 13 years in captivity,
Range and Distribution is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all but rarely more than five
The southern flying squir- wildlife programs are administered for the years in the wild. Preda-
benefit of all North Carolina citizens without tors include owls, hawks,
rel is found throughout North prejudice toward age, sex, race, religion or
Carolina, in urban areas as well national origin. Violations of this pledge may
snakes, bobcats, raccoons,
as in forests, in the lowlands of be reported to the Equal Employment Officer, weasels and foxes.
the Coastal Plain and at eleva- N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 512 N.
tions up to 4,500 feet. It ranges Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27604-1188.
(919) 733-2241.
along the East Coast, north into
southwestern Ontario and south