Field Guide/Mammals/Northern Flying Squirrel

Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Glaucomys sabrinus 2.jpeg Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Sciuridae Total Length: 10.24 in. (260 mm.). Tail Length: 8.19 in. (208 mm.).Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 Weight: 2-3 oz. (56.7-85.05 g.) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Glaucomys sabrinus The Northern Flying Squirrel has dense fur, olive-brown above and white below.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 It also has large brown eyes. Its tail is uniformly gray with a dark tip. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Glaucomys sabrinus The tail is also flat for aerial control. The Northern Flying Squirrel has a membrane, called a patagium, which stretches from the front to the hind limbs. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 2012 Glaucomys sabrinus The Northern Flying Squirrel is similar in appearance to the Southern Flying Squirrel, but larger and more robust. The Southern Flying Squirrel has a tail that is paler below and has a darker tip than The Northern Flying Squirrel.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 Continuous across North America through central Canada.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 Northern Flying Squirrels inhabit cool and moist forests near swamps or streams. Mixed coniferous-deciduous forests are ideal habitats for the species.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 In addition, they can be found to nest in tree hollows or leaf nests. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2012 Glaucomys sabrinus Their diet is omnivorous Riebe j. 2004 Glaucomys sabrinus , characteristic of most squirrels' diets. Malamuth, Mulheisen E., M. 1999 They eat acorns, hazelnuts, beechnuts, conifer and hardwood seeds, insects, and tree sap.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 They have a nocturnal activity pattern in the late summer, leaving the nest shortly after sundown and returning within two hours. They do not hibernate, remaining active during the winter months.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 Mates in late March through May. Gestation period of 37-42 days. Typical litter size of 2-4 (2-3 litters per year). Newborns weigh .18 oz. (5-6 g.) and are 2.76 in. (70mm) in length. Weaned at 2 months.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8 4 years in the wild. 13 years in captivity. Malamuth, Mulheisen E., M. 1999 The Northern Flying Squirrel has a long tail, up to 80% of its body length. It has no evident sexual dimorphism. Common predators include Barn Owls (Tylo alba), Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), Red-tailed Hawks (Butao jamaicensis), and House Cats (Felis catus). Female Northern Flying Squirrels raise the young, with no help from male. Northern Flying Squirrels are social and often share nests during the winter. The Northern Flying Squirrel actually does not fly; it glides with glide lengths averages of 16.6 ft. (19.7 m.). They also help disperse conifer seeds. The Northern Flying Squirrel is usually clumsy on the ground and will occasionally get its patagium tangled in barbed wire and die.Wells-Gosling, Heaney N., L.R. 1984 Glaucomys sabrinus 229 1–8