Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) lives in deciduous forest across Eastern North America. It feeds on nuts and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Hear the Flying Squirrel
A real field recording of the Flying Squirrel, made in the wild.
Southern flying squirrels have a remarkable ability to locate their own nest even after being displaced far from home. Experiments have shown they can return from artificial removals of up to a kilometre, demonstrating strong homing instincts that help them reunite with familiar trees. They live in deciduous and mixed woods across the eastern half of North America, from southeastern Canada down to Florida, where familiar landmarks aid their navigation.
A female southern flying squirrel may occupy a home range of up to 40,000 m², while a male's territory can be roughly twice as large, giving him a broader area to search for resources and mates. Home ranges expand toward the northern edge of the species' distribution where suitable trees are more scattered, so both sexes need more space.
When southern flying squirrels huddle together in winter nests, the group conserves roughly 30 percent of the energy a solitary individual would expend, providing a clear thermoregulatory benefit. Colonies can include up to 25 squirrels, and nest temperatures have been recorded above 38 °C, close to the upper end of their normal body temperature range of 36.3-38.9 °C.
The southern flying squirrel can harbour the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii, the agent of sylvatic typhus. Between 1976 and 2001 the CDC recorded 39 human cases linked to this host. Infection is thought to spread when aerosolised flea or louse faeces from the squirrel are inhaled. Thus the animal's role as a bacterial reservoir creates a direct health risk to people who encounter it.
During a glide the squirrel launches from a tree, spreads its arms forward and legs backward, and stretches the patagium into a square-like sheet that descends at a 30-40° angle. While airborne it can swivel its body and execute sharp 90-degree turns around obstacles, a manoeuvre that lets it avoid branches and predators. Just before landing it lifts its flattened tail to redirect upward, creating a parachute effect that softens impact.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
As the sun dips below the horizon, a whispered rustle stirs the treetops, and the flying squirrel unfurls its silky cloak, a membrane of skin that stretches from wrist to ankle, transforming this diminutive creature into a gliding marvel. With an effortless leap, it launches itself into the evening air, its large eyes shining like lanterns as it soars through the forest, a weightless, slow-motion dance that belies the precise calculations guiding its path. In this fleeting, moonlit world, the flying squirrel reigns supreme, a phantom of the night, its gentle whoops and chirrups weaving a enchanting melody.
Advertisement
Hear the Flying Squirrel, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
