If you live near a wooded suburban lot, park, or forest then there is a chance you might be able to attract flying squirrels to your backyard. How do you know if flying squirrels are in your neighborhood? Look for their clues and evidence of habitat needs. If your wooded suburban neighborhood or forested property has a lot of nut producing trees or a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees then you just might have the perfect habitat for the elusive flying squirrel.
Range and Habitat of the Flying Squirrel
The two species of flying squirrels that live in North America are the Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomy volans) and the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomy sabrinus). In the United States the southern flying squirrel mostly inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests east of the Great Plains, while the northern species is found scattered across northern states and even into Alaska. Their ranges can overlap in some states, but there is no evidence to show that they interbreed.
Flying squirrels prefer forests with oak, hickory, beech and maple trees. They are common in most areas within their range but since they are the only nocturnal tree squirrel, very few people see them.
Natural History of the Flying Squirrel
In some parts of the country flying squirrels are nicknamed 'Fairy Diddles' because of their charming and magical appearance. They are highly adapted for their nighttime antics with an excellent sense of hearing, high-pitched communication, and large black eyes for nighttime vision. Adults measure 9 to 10 inches in length from nose to tail with Northern Flying Squirrels measuring slightly larger than their Southern cousins.
Along with tree nuts, flying squirrels will consume berries, fruits, fungi, lichens, seeds, buds, flower blossoms, tree bark and sap, insects and occasionally small mammals and birds or carrion. Their diet varies with what's available during that season.
Flying squirrels don't really fly, they actually glide by using a skin membrane called the patagium that extends from the wrist of the front leg to the ankle of the back leg. Their tail serves as a rudder and helps to stabilize the squirrel during glides. Although the average glide is short, they have been known to glide over 150 feet in a downward position and are extremely quick once they reach their target. They often scurry to the back side of the tree to evade possible predators. Predators of the flying squirrel include hawks, owls, snakes, and house cats. They can even become prey for weasel, fox, and coyote as the squirrels search the ground for food such as fungi. Their lifespan in the wild averages about four years.
Clues You May Already be Attracting Flying Squirrels
There may be evidence that flying squirrels are already visiting your neighborhood or backyard. Do you ever notice your bird seed disappears overnight? Do you find bark stripped from your cedar trees and stuffed inside bird houses? Have the entry holes to your bluebird boxes been enlarged by a chewing animal? Do you find nuts that are only chewed on one end? Do you hear high pitched sounds coming from your trees at night?
These are some clues that flying squirrels might be nearby. There are a few things you can do to attract them into your yard and create an inviting habitat for these amazing little creatures of the night. By following these simple steps your family just might be able to get a chance to see a real live "Fairy Diddle!"
Attract Flying Squirrels with Food and Nesting Sites
Bird Feeders:
Many homeowners object when other tree squirrel species visit their feeders during the day, but seeing flying squirrels at feeders is a delight to many. If you want to invite flying squirrels to your yard, hang a platform bird feeder from tree branches or nail a board to a tree. Place sunflower seeds or nut meats such as peanuts or acorns in the feeders. Check your feeders shortly after dusk to see if you can catch a glimpse of this elusive rodent. Use a flashlight covered in red cellophane or a red light bulb in a spotlight to avoid disturbing the squirrels too much. Be patient. It may take days, weeks, or even months - especially if flying squirrels aren't already living nearby. If you have trees near your home, you can hang a feeder near a window. You just may hear a slight bang on your window as the squirrel leaps onto the feeder. Remember that flying squirrels are most active one to two hours after sunset, or before dawn.
Peanut Butter Smothered Trees:
Flying squirrels have been known to love peanut butter or even peanut butter mixed with bacon grease and a bits of sunflower seeds. Spread either on a tree, especially if it is in a location that you think the flying squirrels are present. Check the tree in the same manner you would the bird feeders.
Preserve Dead Trees:
Preserve dead trees. That's right, if a tree dies in your backyard or area forest and isn't in the way of endangering property or humans, then you may want to think about leaving it for habitat. Flying squirrels are secondary cavity nesters and will use holes created by other animals such as woodpeckers. Dead trees are homes to more wildlife than trees that are alive. In the winter it is quite common for flying squirrels to huddle together in the same cavity for added warmth since they do not hibernate.
Nest Boxes for Flying Squirrels:
Since flying squirrels are cavity nesters, they will often adapt to nest boxes. These squirrels have been discovered by many inside bird boxes such as those made for bluebirds, wood ducks, or even screech owls. Most birdhouses will make a flying squirrel happy, but the best ones should have at least a 7 inch by 7 inch bottom and measure 8 to 10 inches tall. The nesting cavity hole entrance should measure 1.25 inches for a Southern Flying Squirrel and 1.5 inches for a Northern Flying Squirrel. They can be mounted 10 feet in the air or higher, but keep in mind many have been found at heights lower than that - just be sure boxes are predator proof as much as possible and if possible should be mounted on a pole rather than a tree.
Nest boxes are important especially if you have young trees in your neighborhood. If you are lucky enough to finally attract flying squirrels to a nest box, be sure to be careful when checking on them, since they will bite! Use a twig to gently peel away the nesting fiber to verify who is inside.
By providing food and nesting places, you just might be able to catch a glimpse of these night time acrobats! Your family will delight in the chance to see a common mammal not seen by many due to its nocturnal habits.
References: Flying Squirrels , Fairy Diddles
R. Jean DeCaire - Growing up in the north country I spent my days riding bikes, catching butterflies, building forts, and fishing. It was no wonder my ...
