All About Flying Squirrels

There are several types of squirrels across the globe, and many within the United States as well. Infamous across the country for their pestering of dogs and hounding of bird feeders, the various squirrel species have adapted to a multitude of environments and habitats. One group of squirrels, comprising around fifty species, are flying squirrels. These squirrels do not actually fly, as bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. They can glide over fairly long distances, however.

General Overview

Flying squirrels tend to be larger than other squirrel species, or at least they appear that way because they have a long tail to assist with areal movements, as well as the extra skin to capture air for gliding travel. PestWorld.org describes their various appearances being “relatively small, as their head, body, and tail length totals around 10 inches. On average, they weigh anywhere from 2 to 6 ounces. 

http://pestwildlife.org/killing-ways-of-flying-squirrels/

Flying squirrels have large black eyes and 22 teeth. They have two loose folds of skin between front and hind legs that help them glide distances of more than 80 yards. Northern flying squirrels are covered in very soft, rich brown fur. Their underbellies are white at the tips only with the bases lead colored near the skin. Southern flying squirrels have thick, soft, glossy grayish to olive brown fur with white underbellies.” While other squirrels tend to spend a fair bit of the time on the ground, flying squirrels prefer to stick to the trees. As a result of this, flying squirrels tend to inhabit large woodlands, and thus they can be found across the United States and beyond. From temperate to tropical and even high mountains barely capable of supporting trees, you can find flying squirrels.

Like most rodents, they are fast, but seasonal, breeders. They also tend to have a short natural lifespan, living for only about four years at best in the wild. Like most animals, in captivity, they can live much longer without the threat of predation. Flying squirrels can actually live up to fifteen years in captivity, which is on par with many breeds of cat. As far as habitat is concerned, the various species of flying squirrels naturally prefer wooded areas, though some do like to dig burrows. 

Flying squirrels

They are also primarily nocturnal, and, burrow or not, tend to spend most of their time amongst the trees. Like many rodents, flying squirrels are very adaptable. As alluded to earlier, they can inhabit all manner of environments as long as there are plenty of trees. Much like they can live in a variety of locations, their diet, too, can be incredibly, even surprisingly, varied.

Diet and Nesting

The natural diet of the various flying squirrel species depends, obviously, on where they live. Fruits, fresh shoots, fungi, and seeds are extremely common parts of various flying squirrel diets. Some of the smaller species of flying squirrels are known to eat insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates like lizards and frogs. The wide travel range of these rodents belies a strong streak of territoriality. Squirrels in general can be aggressive and assertive if they need to be, and their gliding brethren are no exception.

As far as habitat is concerned, the various species of flying squirrels naturally prefer wooded areas, though some do like to dig burrows. They are also primarily nocturnal, and, burrow or not, tend to spend most of their time amongst the trees. Like many rodents, flying squirrels are very adaptable. 

As alluded to earlier, they can inhabit all manner of environments as long as there are plenty of trees. Much like they can live in a variety of locations, their diet, too, can be incredibly, even surprisingly, varied. Though they glide instead of fly, these squirrels do have a lot of control over their aerial travel pattern. This is thanks to their long tails. As a primarily arboreal type of squirrel, they manage to look graceful in the air and scuttling amongst the trees. 

Flying squirrels

Whether those trees are in the southern tropics, the temperate woods of the Midwest, or even the cooler zones bordering mountain timber lines, you can find flying squirrels just about anywhere.

Conclusion

Small and cute like most rodents, as long as those squirrels are outside amongst the trees keeping to themselves, they’re not really a pest. Their territorial streak and varied diet allow them a wide range of habitat, and they have taken advantage of that to live pretty much wherever there are trees.

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