THE FLYING SQUIRREL

There is no single species of flying squirrel, in fact they are almost a global phenomenon made up from 44 known species. Found in heavily wooded areas such as ancient woodlands and forests, they feed on a wide variety of foods such as Acorns, nuts, berries, fruits, seeds, buds, blossoms, insects, birds, nestlings, eggs and occasionally, carrion.

Where can you find flying squirrels?

If you are looking to see flying squirrels in the wild then there are plenty of countries that hold native populations.

The greatest range of species are as follows:

Flying squirrel range

1. North America and the Pacific coast

2. Southeast Asia

3. Malaysia, Indonesia, Southern Thailand, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula

4. Southeast Asia, India and Bangladesh

5. Japan, China and more specifically north-eastern China 

6. Finland and the Baltic coast


What do flying squirrels eat?

As you would expect, flying squirrels have a varied diet. Ranging from fruits, nuts, and fungi to insects, snails and bird eggs

Unlike their non-aerial cousins, flying squirrels can easily forage for food in the night where they make good use of their highly developed sense of smell.

Flying squirrel reproduction

Flying squirrel young

The mating season for flying squirrels is during February and March. When the infant squirrels are born, the female squirrels live with them in maternal nest sites. The males do not participate in nurturing their offspring.

The mothers will continue to nurture and protect their offspring until they leave the nest.

At birth, flying squirrels are mostly hairless, apart from their whiskers, and most of their senses are not present. Their internal organs are visible through the skin, and their sex can be identified.

By week five of their lives, they are almost fully developed. At that point, they can respond to their environment and start to develop a mind of their own. Through the upcoming weeks of their lives, they practice leaping and gliding. After two and a half months, their gliding skills are perfected, they are ready to leave their nest and are capable of independent survival.

For more information click onto:
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THE FLYING SQUIRREL