I’ve always found the critters that are not well known or the ones that are mysterious to be the most fascinating. A good example of this is the flying squirrel. I have recently been photographing a wonderful little Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys Volans). There are over 40 species of flying squirrel in the world but only 2 species live here in North America. Besides the Southern Flying Squirrel we also have a Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). In general the Southern Flying Squirrel lives across most of the eastern half of the country while the Northern Flying Squirrel lives in the northern states and across Canada.

Both the northern and southern flying squirrel are closely related to other tree squirrels. All are in the family Sciuridae. The big difference between the flying squirrels and other more familiar tree squirrels are flying squirrels are nocturnal. All of our other tree squirrels are diurnal and active during the day.

By some estimates, in the areas where flying squirrels exist, they many outnumber the daytime tree squirrels. Since the flying squirrel is highly nocturnal and only becomes active well after dark, we don’t notice them zipping around the trees under the cover of darkness.

Flying Squirrels are smaller than the common Eastern Gray Squirrel and are only 7-9 inches long compared to the Gray Squirrel which is 10-12 inches. Flying squirrels are only 2-4 oz in weight while the Gray Squirrel is over one pound.

Its large bulging eyes are a tip off to the nocturnal behavior of this little know critter. In proportion to the size of its head, the eyes are huge. Large eyes allow more light gathering ability in dark conditions. After all they need to see where they are going and more importantly judge the distance to a landing spot on a tree. Think about it, they are whizzing through a branch cluttered forest at relatively high speed in the dark. It is really an amazing feat.

Of course the name “flying” squirrel is a bit of a misnomer because they don’t actually fly. Flying implies that they can accelerate and gain altitude at their control. In fact they just glide on a downward path after leaping off a tree. The process of gliding is proceeded by first identifying a target landing spot. This often involves the squirrel bobbing its head up and down judging the distance and the path to the landing spot.

They glide with the aid of a furry, parachute-like skin membrane that stretches from wrist to angle and is called the patagium. When fully stretched out the entire body of the squirrel becomes a wing. Even its tail is flat and aids in the gliding and also acts like a rudder to help maneuver around objects and slow down. The fur grows only along the sides of the tail giving it a flat appearance.

Glides can be upwards of 50 feet in distance but most are much shorter. Almost always the glide terminates on another tree trunk. When they are about to land the squirrel pulls up its front legs and its tail lowers to catch some air, like an air-break. They always land head upright then immediately scamper around to the opposite side of the trunk. Presumably this is a way avoid any predators such as owls that might be following them closely.

Flying Squirrels are the most carnivorous of the tree squirrels. In addition to eating seeds, they eat bird eggs, baby birds, small mice or any dead animal they can find. Insects also are a big part of their diet. Another unusual behavior of the flying squirrel is their gregariousness. They live in family units of many individuals in one nest.

Baby flying squirrels are born in a tree cavity and are naked, eyes close and helpless. They nurse on mother’s milk, weaning at 5-7 weeks of age. They have several broods of babies each year. Most flying squirrels live only 2 to 5 years but some have lived upwards of 10 years in captivity.

Some people are lucky to have flying squirrels visit their feeders at night. The squirrels are often not afraid if you turn on a flood light to watch them as they help themselves to your bird seed. Most people fall in love with these cute little critters and can’t wait to watch them visit their feeders each night. Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the US to study and photography wildlife. He can be followed on www.facebook.com and twitter.com. He can be contacted via his web page at www.naturesmart.com.