Southern
Flying
Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
Our Ambassador
:
Reflection Riding Arboretum and
Nature Center’s SouthernFlying
Squirrel was born December 28,
2005 in Texas at a local breeder.
He arrived at Reflection riding via
Delta in February 2006. He is a
voracious eater and extremely
fast. He lives in the Hidden Creatures of the Forest exhibit in the trunk of a tree. He eats a mixture of fruit,
vegetables and nuts 6 days per week.
Habitat:
They live in deciduous forests, almost completely in trees and use woodpecker holes or abandoned gray
squirrel nests as dens. Their individual territories range from 0.5 to 4 acres.
Size
:
From head to tail, 7.75 – 10” Weight 3 - 4 ounces
Appearance
:
Flying squirrels have large, beady, black eyes and have excellent night vision. Their fur is short, grayish in
color and very soft. They have a white underside with body and tail flattened. They have a loose, furred flap
from front to hind legs used for gliding called a patagium.
Eating Habits:
Nuts, acorns, seeds, berries, fungi,
lichens, birds and their nestlings,
eggs, insects and dead animals.
They often gnaw on bones and
antlers as a source of calcium and to
keep their teeth chiseled; otherwise
their teeth would continue to grow
like all rodent teeth.
Reproduction
:
They mate in early spring. Female
gives birth to 2 -7 young after
approximately 41 days of
gestation. Females may also have a
second litter in August or
September—typically females that
didn’t breed in the spring.
Life Span
:
4 - 5 years in the wild; Up to 13 years in captivity
Interesting Facts:
• The Southern Flying Squirrel is the most carnivorous of all tree squirrels.
• Despite their name, flying squirrels do not fly, but glide from tree to tree, or tree to ground. Their patagium
acts like a glider wing. They can glide up to 270 feet, but glides of 20 - 30 feet are more
common. Thick paws cushion their landing.
• They are extremely nocturnal, and therefore rarely seen
• Flying squirrels gather food in the fall and cache it for the less active winter months. Flyers do not actually
hibernate, but can slow down their systems in the winter. They have been known to nest with up to
50 others in one den to conserve energy and benefit from radiant heat!
Resources:
• Animal Diversity: Southern Flying Squirrel
• US Fish & Wildlife: Tennessee Amphibians, Fish, Mammals and Reptiles List 2007