Habitat: Associated with conifer forests of Transition to Alpine Life Zones.
Description: Our only airborne mammal with a long bushy tail. Total length 9¾ to 11½ inches. Tail 4½ to 5½ inches. Characteristic of this species is the fold of skin along each side from the fore to the hind leg. There is considerable color variation in the numerous subspecies of this squirrel. In general the upper parts vary from dark brown to cinnamon brown. Sides of face gray; underparts white to pinkish cinnamon beneath. Hind feet are brown, fore feet gray. The flying membrane is brownish black above, white to cinnamon beneath. The eyes are large and dark brown. Young, two to six in a litter, born in spring; a second litter is sometimes produced in early autumn.
Because flying squirrels are almost entirely nocturnal, they are seldom seen. This is unfortunate, for they are among the most interesting forest creatures. Probably more people have seen flying squirrels through the predations of a house cat than in any other way. Gentle and unafraid, the squirrels fall easy prey to this night prowler, which sometimes brings them home to show its owners. Strangely enough, the victims often are not injured seriously, and if taken from the cat and allowed to recover from their initial fright they will glide about the room with much of the grace they display in the wild.
Properly speaking, these squirrels do not fly; that is to say, they are incapable of sustaining level or ascending flight. Rather they climb to some height in a tree then launch out and glide to a lower point, usually the trunk of another tree. As the angle is usually quite sharp they attain considerable speed. They check this momentum by inclining upwards just before reaching their objective. This results in a four-point landing against the tree trunk, sometimes with an impact that can be heard for some little distance on a quiet night. During these flights, which may extend 50 yards or more, they are able to change direction or maneuver against wind currents. This is done by manipulating the flying membrane and using the tail as a rudder. After a flight they usually ascend to the safety of the foliage above. They cannot be considered awkward on the ground, but it is not their chosen habitat. Flying squirrels are more arboreal than any of our mammals, excepting a few species of bats.
northern flying squirrel
Little is known of the habits of this unusual squirrel, but they differ considerably from those of its relatives who are active during the sunny hours. Instead of living in a bulky nest hung in tree branches, this nocturnal aerialist chooses a hollow tree or an abandoned woodpecker’s hole where the sun’s rays never penetrate. Nests have been found also under slabs of bark hanging to old lightning-blasted snags. Lined with soft fibers and shredded bark, they often shelter whole families of flying squirrels for, unlike the other squirrels, these gentle creatures get along together. In fact, they might almost be considered gregarious. Contrary to ordinary squirrel behavior, they never bark or scold. Their only utterance is a fine whistling squeak, and this is heard usually only in the nest.
Though delicate in appearance the flying squirrel is extremely hardy. It is abroad throughout the winter, being confined to its nest only during stormy weather. It stores food for the winter, but its caches are usually above ground in hollow trees and crevices rather than buried in the loam. Their food consists mostly of pine nuts, seeds, and acorns, but they are also fond of meat. Many a flying squirrel has met its death trying to take the bait from a trap set for larger game. This taste is unexplained; it is not known to prey on other animals.