![]() The tail is densely haired, dorso-ventrally flattened, almost parallel sided with a rounded tip. Southern flying squirrels are known for their ability to glide and are found in deciduous and wooded areas in North America. The forelimbs are connected from the wrist to the ankle by a loose fold of haired skin. With a sharp eye and a little luck combined with a sightseeing or camping trip in Oklahoma's eastern deciduous forest, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the unique southern flying squirrel as it glides across the night sky. This species is smaller than the northern flying squirrel with a total length of 198-255 mm and a weight of 46.5-85 grams. Predators of the southern flying squirrel include birds of prey, snakes, and increasingly, domestic cats. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The only nocturnal member of the squirrel family, flying squirrels have large eyes that help them navigate in the dark, and a three to four-inch tail.ĭue to the nocturnal lifestyle, little is known about the southern flying squirrel's distribution or conservation status, but recent research has shown that these squirrels have a larger Oklahoma distribution than previously known. This small rodent weighs only three ounces at adulthood - slightly more than a regulation tennis ball. Almost half of the total body length, the tail acts as a stabilizer and also helps when balancing on small limbs.Īlthough primarily gray with a cream colored stomach, there are reports of reddish brown flying squirrels. The second adaptation is the flattened tail. When stretched tight, this patagium acts as an umbrella, allowing the squirrel to glide through the air. The first is its thin layer of fur-covered skin, or patagium, extending from the fore feet to the back feet. These arboreal rodents are able to gracefully travel long distances by way of two adaptations. The difference? Flying requires an unassisted gain in altitude, while gliding can be described as "descending with style." Regardless of the terminology, watching this squirrel travel from tree to tree is quite a treat! This species is smaller than the northern flying squirrel with a total length of 198-255 mm and a weight of 46.5-85 grams. ![]() Actually, despite the name, the southern flying squirrel doesn't actually fly - it glides. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.The southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans, is one of the smallest Oklahoma squirrels. However, when establishing recruitment clusters, areas with streams should be avoided and addition of artificial cavities to existing clusters should be done judiciously to minimize the number of excess cavities. The proximity and amount of hardwoods surrounding clusters were not related to southern flying squirrel use at any spatial scale thus, removal or conversion of hardwood stands surrounding redcockaded woodpeckers may not be necessary for reducing cavity kleptoparasitism by flying squirrels. At the 400-m and 800-m scales, the amount of stream length was also positively associated with the presence of flying squirrels. They are strictly nocturnal creatures known for their ability to fly among trees. They are 7.8-10 inches long and weigh only 1.5-3 ounces. Flying squirrels have a white belly with a flattened tail used like a rudder. At all spatial scales, the number of cavities in the cluster was the most influential variable determining use by southern flying squirrels. Although common in many eastern states, the southern flying squirrel is considered threatened in Nebraska. Thus, we determined the habitat and landscape factors within 100 m, 400 m, and 800 m of cluster centers that were related to southern flying squirrel use of red-cockaded woodpecker cavities at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina. Although direct control of southern flying squirrels may be necessary in small red-cockaded woodpecker populations (<30 groups), creation of high quality habitat through landscape management is the preferred method for managing larger woodpecker populations. Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) can have significant negative impacts on redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) reproductive success and group size.
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