Southern flying squirrels have large eyes that allow the squirrels to see at night, when they are active. (laszlo-photo/Flickr)
The southern flying squirrel is a small, grayish-brown mammal that is found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in hardwood forests and areas with lots of deciduous trees.
Appearance:
Soft, grayish-brown fur
White belly
Large eyes with dark rings around them
Fold of loose skin called a patagium that stretches from the ankle to the wrist
Broad, flattened tail that is covered in fur
Prominent ears and whiskers
Grows to about 9-10 inches long and weighs about 2-4 ounces
Habitat:
Found in hardwood forests and areas with lots of deciduous trees, particularly oaks, beeches, maples and hickories
Nests are typically made in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes about 15-20 feet high in a tree
Occasionally builds a summer leaf nest
Does not hibernate during winter, but forms a common nest to share with a group of 10-20 flying squirrels to keep warm
Range:
Found throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed
Stays within a home range of 1-5 acres. Males’ home ranges will overlap with one another, while females’ ranges do not overlap.
Feeding:
Mainly feeds on nuts and acorns, especially those from hickory trees
Also eats berries, seeds, flowers, mushrooms, insects, bird eggs and dead mice
May store up to 15,000 nuts each autumn to eat during winter. Nuts are stored underground or in tree cavities and crevices
Predators:
Hawks, owls, domestic cats, snakes, raccoons, weasels and red foxes may prey upon flying squirrels
Avoids predators by staying alert, being nocturnal and quickly running or gliding away from danger
Flight:
Does not actually “fly,” but glides by extending its legs to stretch out its fold of skin like a parachute
Usually glides about 20-30 feet, but has been recorded gliding up to 240 feet
Very agile, steering around branches and other obstacles by using its tail as a rudder
Voice:
Produces vocalizations, including a high-pitched tseet and other chirping sounds
Vocalizations are sometimes above the frequency range of the human ear
Some scientists think that flying squirrels may use their vocalizations for echolocation
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Adults mate twice per year: once in February-March and again in late May-July
Females can produce two litters of 2-4 young each year if conditions are good
Gestationperiod is 40 days
Males do not care for their young and typically leave before the litter is born
Young are born naked and helpless. Their ears open after 2-6 days, they begin to develop fur within a week, and their eyes open after about four weeks.
Young are weaned at 6-8 weeks and able to glide soon after that
Young typically remain with their mother for about four months or until the next litter is born
Reaches sexual maturity in one year
Can reach 5-6 years old in the wild, but most probably die within their first year
Other Facts:
In some areas, southern flying squirrels may outnumber the common gray squirrel
Rarely seen by people because it is nocturnal
Has excellent senses of smell, vision, hearing and touch, and its large eyes allow it to see at night
