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 Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus
By Delmy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chartdata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Rodentia
Family:Sciuridae
Genus:Glaucomys
Species:G.sabrinus
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Physical Description
The Northern flying squirrel is soft gray in color on its upper parts
and white on its underside. It is 24 to 36 cm (10-15 inches) long
including its tail and weights 70 to 140 grams.The eyes of the flying
squirrel have a reddish-brown over-brown and the a gray under-brown.
Diet and Feeding Habits
The flying squirrel is an omnivore. It eats fruits, green
vegetation, nuts and seeds. They also eat insects and meat
(fresh,dried,or rotted).
Reproduction
Northern flying squirrels either nest in abondoned bird nest in the
hollowed out snags or they make a nest on tree branches using moss,
lichen, sticks and soft plant fibers as building materials.Flying
squirrels tend to have one litter (aggregate)of 2-5 offspring a year.
In the Pacific Northwest the Northern flying squirrel has its
offspring in spring. The young are born hairless and are unable to hear
or
see until they are four weeks old.The mother nurses the babies with
milk for
about five weeks.
Habitat
The Northern flying squirrel likes heavily wooded coniferous and
deciduous forest. It lives in the trees such as cedar spruce, and
douglas-fir during nesting season. The mother squirrel occupies a
hollowed out snag where she rears her offspring.
Role in the Ecosystem
Owl, weasel, martin, bobcat, wolf, hawk, lynx, and domestic cat all
prey on the northern flying squirrel. It is a primary food source
for the Northern spotted owl.
Bibliography
www.evergreen.edu/ican/education/TRFwebsite/squirreladv.htm
www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/furbear/nfsquirl/].php
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