Southern Flying Squirrel

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The Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is one of two species of the genus Glaucomys, the only flying squirrels found in North America (the other is the somewhat larger Northern Flying Squirrel, G. sabrinus). It is found in deciduous and mixed woods in the eastern half of North America, from southeastern Canada, to Florida, USA. Disjunct populations of this species also have been recorded from the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala and Hondurus. Range maps are available [here].

Southern Flying Squirrels have grey brown fur on top with darker flanks and are a cream color underneath. They have large dark eyes and a flattened tail. They have a furry membrane called a patagium which extends between the front and rear legs, used to glide through the air.

Southern Flying Squirrels feed on fruit/nuts from trees such as red and white oak, hickory and beech. They store food, especially acorns, for winter consumption. They also dine on insects, buds, mushrooms, mycorrhizal fungi, carrion, bird eggs and nestlings and flowers.

Although the squirrels will make outside nests, especially in pine woods, they prefer to nest in holes in dead trees or "snags". They often use these nesting holes communally, especially in winter, when huddling gives them significant energy savings. They readily use artificial nest boxes. They choose holes with smaller entrances than those used by the sympatric Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. Sometimes they use holes that have been made by woodpeckers such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis; since this is an endangered species, the squirrels are sometimes removed from areas where the woodpeckers nest, though the usefulness of this practice has been disputed. They tend to avoid areas of forest that have been harvested recently. Both in the wild and in captivity they can produce two litters each year (with 2-7 young per litter), in early spring and mid-summer. The gestation period is approximately 40 days. Young are born without fur or any capabilities of its own. Their ears open at 2 to 6 days old, and fur grows in by 7 days. Their eyes don't open until they are 24-30 days old. Parents leave their young 65 days after they are born. The young then become fully independent at 120 days of age.

Southern Flying Squirrels show substantial homing abilities, and can return to their nests if artificially removed to distances of up to a kilometre. Their home ranges may be up to 40,000 square metres for females and double that for males, tending to be larger at the northern extreme of their range.

Predators include owls, hawks and raccoons. Domestic house cats can be dangerous to these animals. Although graceful in flight, they are particularly vulnerable on the ground.

Flying Squirrels as Pets

Southern Flyers are commonly kept as pets. If obtained at a young age (6-8 weeks), they can form tight and long-lasting bonds with their owners. A "bonding pouch" is commonly used to nurture this relationship: The owner carries the young squirrel in a bag or pocket every day for several weeks. Although more difficult, this method can also be used to bond with an older flyer, although they will often retain more independence than those trained at a young age.

Flyers in captivity require a tall, large cage with room to glide. They can be fed on commercial bird seed supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Hard-shelled nuts should also be provided to prevent overdevelopment of the teeth. Finally, a dietary supplement containing calcium and vitamin D3 (such as ReptoCal) must be added to food three times weekly; flying squirrels are highly prone to calcium deficiency, and a poor diet can lead to paralysis and death. Flyers are otherwise very healthy and disease-free.

References

Baillie (1996). [Glaucomys volans]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
Arbogast, B. S. (1999). Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of the New World flying squirrels (Glaucomys): implications for Pleistocene biogeography. Journal of Mammalogy, 80, 142-155.
Fox, D. & M. Mulheisen. "Glaucomys volans" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.1999. Accessed May 20, 2005 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Glaucomys_volans.html.
Fridell, R. A., & Litvaitis, J. A. (1991). Influence of resource distribution and abundance on home-range characteristics of southern flying squirrels. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2589-2593.
Mitchell, L. R., Carlile, L. D., & Chandler, C. R. (1999). Effects of southern flying squirrels on nest success of red-cockaded woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management, 63, 538-545.
Sawyer, S. L., & Rose, R. K. (1985). Homing in and ecology of the southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans in southeastern Virginia. American Midland Naturalist, 113, 238-244.
Stapp, P., Pekins, P. J., & Mautz, W. W. (1991). Winter energy-expenditure and the distribution of southern flying squirrels. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2548-2555.
Stone, K. D., Heidt, G. A., Baltosser, W. H., & Caster, P. T. (1996). Factors affecting nest box use by southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) and gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). American Midland Naturalist, 135, 9-13.
Stone, K. D., Heidt, G. A., Caster, P. T., & Kennedy, M. L. (1997). Using geographic information systems to determine home range of the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). American Midland Naturalist, 137, 106-111.
Taulman, J. F. (1999). Selection of nest trees by southern flying squirrels (Sciuridae: Glaucomys volans) in Arkansas. Journal of Zoology, 248, 369-377.
Taulman, J. F., Smith, K. G., & Thill, R. E. (1998). Demographic and behavioral responses of southern flying squirrels to experimental logging in Arkansas. Ecological Applications, 8, 1144-1155.
Thomas, R. B., & Weigl, P. D. (1998). Dynamic foraging behavior in the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans): test of a model. American Midland Naturalist, 140, 264-270.

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