By Charlie Fineran

The Flying Squirrels are the only nocturnal tree squirrels. This animal is quite common, foraging on the ground a great deal, but because it is nocturnal it is seldom seen. Flying squirrels do not fly, but glide, from tree to tree by spreading their legs and stretching their flight skin, which acts as a sail.  They pull upright at the last instant to land gently, using the tail as a rudder. Some of these glides may cover up to 80 yards or more, from the top of one tree to the base of another. This glide is a combination of parachuting and gliding.  It lands very lightly on all four feet, and at once scurries around to the other side of the tree trunk in case a predator has followed its flight. Agile and extremely sure-footed aloft, it is relatively clumsy on the ground.  The most carnivorous of the tree squirrels, it feeds on nuts, acorns, seeds, berries, fungi, lichens, birds and their nestlings and eggs, some insects and sometimes other vertebrates including carrion. They will gnaw Maple Trees and drink the sap. Great quantities of nuts, etc are stored for winter use,  Southern Flying Squirrels may store up to 15,000 nuts in one season!  Although it is active in all seasons, the Southern Flying Squirrel may remain in its nest in very cold weather and will enter torpor in times of extreme cold or food scarcity. The state of torpor is not as deep as true hibernation, but the animal’s body temperature can drop to 22 degrees F and it may take up to 40 minutes to wake.

Description – A very small squirrel.  Very soft fur.  Loose fold of skin between forelegs and hindlegs.  Tail has characteristic flattened appearance.  Large dark eyes.  L 7”-10”

Similar Species – Slightly larger Northern Flying Squirrel

Habitat – Various deciduous forests such as beech, maple, oak and hickory

Range – Eastern U.S. (except for northern New England and southern tip od Florida) east of Minnesota, Kansas and Texas

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Thursday Sept. 7,  2023 – It is a hot and humid day. I have just picked up a BLT sandwich and some ice tea and was heading home to my air conditioner when I received a text message and photo on my phone. Checked it out, “It’s so hot this little guy/girl is hanging outside the bird house—(flying squirrel).”  It is from my friends Greg and Eileen Malejko. Folks I have been waiting for this moment for quite a while. A little background—over the past couple of years, I have been over to Greg and Eileen’s house several times, usually to get a check signed or pick up/drop off paperwork etc. reference, The Friends of Rutherfurd Hall, Eileen is the President of the group. We also always enjoy comparing our Wildlife sightings and talking about great places to visit. One of my favorite topics is hearing about the little Flying Squirrel that lives in their backyard and some of his maneuvers among the trees. I had always mentioned how I would love to get a photo of him. I have never seen one in the wild. Ok, as soon as I got that message and photo, I call and speak with Eileen, “May I stop by and maybe get a photo of the Flying Squirrel?”  C’mon over he is still hanging outside the birdhouse.  Long story short, I am there in a flash – the squirrel is still in position – and my camera starts clicking. It was such a hot day and this tiny Flying Squirrel looked so comfortable just hanging out, we decided not to disturb him. Greg had some additional photos he would share with me to give YOU a better look at his entire body.

THANK YOU – Eileen and Greg for sharing your Wildlife Neighbor – The Flying Squirrel. I now know what my next Photo of the Week article will be about and I can officially say that I have seen a Flying Squirrel in the wild!

Please go to my Flickr site for additional photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72177720311088259

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran   
Director Open Space 
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman 
Allamuchy Historical Society – President