Southern flying squirrel
Conservation status
Least concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Glaucomys Species: G. volans
Binomial name
Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is one of two species of the genus Glaucomys, the only flying squirrels found in North America (the other is the somewhat larger Northern flying squirrel, G. sabrinus). It is found in deciduous and mixed woods in the eastern half of North America, from southeastern Canada, to Florida, USA. Disjunct populations of this species also have been recorded from the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) from USFWS. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn2. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to species or lower taxa which do not qualify for any other category. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Digimon, the only known animals. ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses Allotheria* Order Multituberculata (extinct) Order Volaticotheria (extinct) Order Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Order Triconodonta (extinct) Prototheria Order Monotremata Theria Infraclass Marsupialia Infraclass Eutheria The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in females for the nourishment of young, from mammary glands present on most species... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents. ... Genera Many: see text. ... Species Glaucomys volans Glaucomys sabrinus The two species of New World flying squirrels, genus Glaucomys, are the only species of flying squirrel found in North America. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Species Glaucomys volans Glaucomys sabrinus The two species of New World flying squirrels, genus Glaucomys, are the only species of flying squirrel found in North America. ... Two groups of rodents are referred to as flying squirrels. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Binomial name Glaucomys sabrinus (Shaw, 1801) The Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is one of two species of the genus Glaucomys, the only flying squirrels found in North America (the other is the somewhat smaller Southern Flying Squirrel, ). Flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal. ... Deciduous means temporary or tending to fall off (deriving from the Latin word decidere, to fall off). ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

Southern flying squirrels have grey brown fur on top with darker flanks and are a cream color underneath. They have large dark eyes and a flattened tail. They have a furry membrane called a patagium which extends between the front and rear legs, used to glide through the air.

Southern flying squirrels feed on fruit/nuts from trees such as red and white oak, hickory and beech. They store food, especially acorns, for winter consumption. They also dine on insects, buds, mushrooms, mycorrhizal fungi, carrion, bird eggs and nestlings and flowers. Binomial name Quercus rubra L. The Northern red oak, Quercus rubra (Quercus borealis in some older references), is an oak in the red oak group (Quercus section Lobatae). ... Binomial name Quercus alba L. The White oak (Quercus alba) is one of the most magnificent of oaks. ... Species See text Comparison of Carya nuts Ripe hickory nuts ready to fall, Andrews, SC Hickory is a tree of the genus Carya, including 17-19 species of deciduous trees with pinnately compound leaves and large nuts. ... Species Fagus crenata - Japanese Beech Fagus engleriana - Chinese Beech Fagus grandifolia - American Beech Fagus hayatae - Taiwan Beech Fagus japonica - Japanese Blue Beech Fagus longipetiolata - South Chinese Beech Fagus lucida - Shining Beech Fagus mexicana - Mexican Beech or Haya Fagus orientalis - Oriental Beech Fagus sylvatica - European Beech Beech (Fagus) is a genus...

Although the squirrels will make outside nests, especially in pine woods, they prefer to nest in holes in dead trees or "snags". They often use these nesting holes communally, especially in winter, when huddling gives them significant energy savings. They readily use artificial nest boxes. They choose holes with smaller entrances than those used by the sympatric Eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. Sometimes they use holes that have been made by woodpeckers such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis; since this is an endangered species, the squirrels are sometimes removed from areas where the woodpeckers nest, though the usefulness of this practice has been disputed. They tend to avoid areas of forest that have been harvested recently. Both in the wild and in captivity they can produce two litters each year (with 2-7 young per litter), in early spring and mid-summer. The gestation period is approximately 40 days. Young are born without fur or any capabilities of its own. Their ears open at 2 to 6 days old, and fur grows in by 7 days. Their eyes don't open until they are 24-30 days old. Parents leave their young 65 days after they are born. The young then become fully independent at 120 days of age. Subgenera Subgenus Strobus Subgenus Ducampopinus Subgenus Pinus See Pinus classification for complete taxonomy to species level. ... Sympatry is one of three theoretical models for the phenomenon of speciation. ... Binomial name Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin, 1788 The Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a tree squirrel that is native to the eastern to midwestern United States and the eastern provinces of Canada. ... Genera Melanerpes Sphyrapicus Xiphidiopicus Dendropicos Dendrocopos Picoides Veniliornis Campethera Geocolaptes Dinopium Meiglyptes Hemicircus Micropternus Picus Mulleripicus Dryocopus Celeus Piculus Colaptes Campephilus Chrysocolaptes Reinwardtipicus Blythipicus Gecinulus Sapheopipo For other uses, see Woodpecker (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Picoides borealis Vieillot 1809 About the size of the Northern Cardinal, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is approximately 20-22 cm long, with a wingspan of about 35 cm. ... An endangered species is a species whose population is so small that it is in danger of becoming extinct. ...

Southern Flying Squirrels show substantial homing abilities, and can return to their nests if artificially removed to distances of up to a kilometre. Their home ranges may be up to 40,000 square metres for females and double that for males, tending to be larger at the northern extreme of their range.

Predators include owls, hawks and raccoons. Domestic house cats can be dangerous to these animals. Although graceful in flight, they are particularly vulnerable on the ground. Families Strigidae Tytonidae Ogygoptyngidae (fossil) Palaeoglaucidae (fossil) Protostrigidae (fossil) Sophiornithidae (fossil) Synonyms Strigidae sensu Sibley & Ahlquist Owls are a group of birds of prey. ... Hawks redirects here. ... Type species Procyon lotor Linnaeus, 1758 Species Procyon cancrivorus Procyon insularis Procyon lotor A raccoon (also spelled racoon) is a nocturnal mammal in the genus Procyon of the Procyonidae family. ... Trinomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ...

Flying squirrels as pets

A squirrel in flight

Most wildlife biologists condemn the keeping of wildlife as pets. . Many U.S. states have laws in place that make it illegal to capture a wild animal for a pet, or illegal to sell native wildlife, or keep native wildlife, and other states require a special permit to do so. It is illegal to keep native wildlife in captivity in Canada without a special permit. Image File history File links Jill_Flying_1. ... Image File history File links Jill_Flying_1. ...

However, some believe that if obtained at a young age, Southern flying squirrels are easily tamed and can form tight and long-lasting bonds with their owners. The "bonding pouch" method, whereby the owner carries the young squirrel in a bag or pocket every day for several weeks, is often used to nurture this relationship; this allows the squirrel to become familiar with the voice, smell, and heartbeat of its owner, and associate these things with a sense of security. Although more difficult, this method can also be used to bond with an older flyer, but they will often retain more independence than those trained at a young age. Bonded flyers are very social and require a significant commitment in time from their owners. Furthermore, they are social animals and also nocturnal, so living without other squirrels and being disturbed during the day significantly increases their stress level.

G. volans has been a marginal "pet" for many years, as shown in this 1765 painting by John Singleton Copley.

Flyers in captivity require a tall, large cage with room to glide, thereby exluding most from owning one responsibly. The cage walls should be wire mesh with spacing no larger than 1"x0.5". They should be kept in the dark during the day, due to their nocturnal natures. Flyers can be fed on a commercial bird seed blend supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Hard-shelled nuts should also be provided to prevent overdevelopment of the teeth. Captive flying squirrels are prone to calcium deficiency if fed an improper diet, and this can lead to seizures, rickets, and an early death. Image File history File links Description: Title: en: Boy with Squirrel (Henry Pelham) Technique: en: Oil on canvas Dimensions: en: 30 1/4 x 25 (76. ... Image File history File links Description: Title: en: Boy with Squirrel (Henry Pelham) Technique: en: Oil on canvas Dimensions: en: 30 1/4 x 25 (76. ... Portrait of Copley by Gilbert Stuart. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

References

• Baillie (1996). Glaucomys volans. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• Arbogast, B. S. (1999). Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of the New World flying squirrels (Glaucomys): implications for Pleistocene biogeography. Journal of Mammalogy, 80, 142-155.
• Fox, D. & M. Mulheisen. "Glaucomys volans" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.1999. Accessed May 20, 2005 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Glaucomys_volans.html.
• Fridell, R. A., & Litvaitis, J. A. (1991). Influence of resource distribution and abundance on home-range characteristics of southern flying squirrels. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2589-2593.
• Mitchell, L. R., Carlile, L. D., & Chandler, C. R. (1999). Effects of southern flying squirrels on nest success of red-cockaded woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management, 63, 538-545.
• Sawyer, S. L., & Rose, R. K. (1985). Homing in and ecology of the southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans in southeastern Virginia. American Midland Naturalist, 113, 238-244.
• Stapp, P., Pekins, P. J., & Mautz, W. W. (1991). Winter energy-expenditure and the distribution of southern flying squirrels. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2548-2555.
• Stone, K. D., Heidt, G. A., Baltosser, W. H., & Caster, P. T. (1996). Factors affecting nest box use by southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) and gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). American Midland Naturalist, 135, 9-13.
• Stone, K. D., Heidt, G. A., Caster, P. T., & Kennedy, M. L. (1997). Using geographic information systems to determine home range of the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). American Midland Naturalist, 137, 106-111.
• Taulman, J. F. (1999). Selection of nest trees by southern flying squirrels (Sciuridae: Glaucomys volans) in Arkansas. Journal of Zoology, 248, 369-377.
• Taulman, J. F., Smith, K. G., & Thill, R. E. (1998). Demographic and behavioral responses of southern flying squirrels to experimental logging in Arkansas. Ecological Applications, 8, 1144-1155.
• Thomas, R. B., & Weigl, P. D. (1998). Dynamic foraging behavior in the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans): test of a model. American Midland Naturalist, 140, 264-270.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ...

External links

• Animal Diversity Web - Glaucomys volans
• FlyingSquirrels.com
• National Flying Squirrel Association – Pet squirrel care