Southern Flying Squirrel

Pictures by Jim & Terry Gandy

(click pictures for a better view)

Glaucomys volans

    Southern flying squirrels live anywhere suitable forests are available. They have been found near the ocean and in the highest elevations of the Appalachians.

    Since they are mostly nocturnal, they are seldom seen by humans. Owls are one of their main predators.

    A flying squirrel does not actually fly, but glides through the air on an outstretched flap of skin that stretches between its forelegs and hind legs. It lands very lightly on all four feet and quickly scurries around to the other side of the tree trunk, in case a predator has followed its flight.

     Fliers like to live in old woodpecker holes but during the hot summer months, they may build a nest of leaves, twigs and bark. As many as 20 have been found denned up together in one tree hole during cold weather.

All of the fliers pictured above were raised and released by the Gandys

"mmmm-good"

    The flying squirrel pictured above was brought to us in very poor condition. It had apparently been orphaned for some time when it was found at the base of a tree. The person who discovered the baby tried to feed it, but was not trained in rehabilitation. They were feeding the wrong diet at the wrong intervals.

    After one week with proper care, he was well on his way to being released back into the wild.