Flying Squirrel Specifics
Scientific Name: Pteromyini
Habitat: The "home" of the flying squirrel is dominated deciduous forests. The areas in which flying squirrels lives is throughout the forested areas of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. Their nests are made out of dried leaves, moss, shredded bark, feathers, and fur. Their nests are also made up of conifer needles. The Flying squirrels’ favorite hiding place for the nuts that they horde are under leaves, ground, or in cracks and crevices in trees.
Habitat: The "home" of the flying squirrel is dominated deciduous forests. The areas in which flying squirrels lives is throughout the forested areas of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. Their nests are made out of dried leaves, moss, shredded bark, feathers, and fur. Their nests are also made up of conifer needles. The Flying squirrels’ favorite hiding place for the nuts that they horde are under leaves, ground, or in cracks and crevices in trees.
What makes the Flying Squirrel unique?
Having its ability to glide, the flying squirrel uses this technique to save energy. Unlike a bird, they don't generate their own power with rapid wing thrusting. As they do glide through the air they only can glide in one direction - downward. They use the potential energy due to height to produce speed as they fall. They start high up and glide down through the air to a lower branch or the ground.
What do they eat?
Tree Sap
Diet:
• Nuts: pecan; walnuts; beech nut; horsechestnut; hazelnut; etc.
• seeds of various varieties
• insects (beetles, moths and their larvae, etc.)
• spiders
• slugs, snails
• tree and shrub buds
• flowers (tree, shrub, herb)
• fruits of many trees and shrubs
• berries (most types)
• fungi
• bird eggs, nestlings
• tree bark
• tree sap
• Nuts: pecan; walnuts; beech nut; horsechestnut; hazelnut; etc.
• seeds of various varieties
• insects (beetles, moths and their larvae, etc.)
• spiders
• slugs, snails
• tree and shrub buds
• flowers (tree, shrub, herb)
• fruits of many trees and shrubs
• berries (most types)
• fungi
• bird eggs, nestlings
• tree bark
• tree sap
Threats against the Flying Squirrel (Predators)
Alpine Lynx Cat
- Owls
- Marten
- Fisher
- Raccoon
- Coyote
- House Cat
- Bobcat
- Lynx
- Weasel
- Arboreal snakes
- Rattlesnakes