Southern Flying Squirrel

Have you ever heard of a Southern Flying Squirrel? It's scientific name is Glaucomys Volans. Flying Squirrels are in the squirrel family. They have tails about 3-5" and their bodies are about 5-7". They can live up to 5 years in the wild, in captivity they can live up to 10 years. Flying Squirrels will live in parks,yards, and forests. They have light brown to gray fur above and they a have white underside. They tail is brownish gray on top and white on the underside just like the body. Glaucomys Volans are omnivores and they eat seeds,nuts,baby birds, bird eggs,baby mice,fungi,carrion, and sometimes they eat out of bird feeders. They usually have 3 young per year. Flying Squirrels sometimes live in old woodpecker holes and in nest boxes. They may build a round nest of leaves on a tree branch to live in. They are nocturnal which means they sleep in the day and live at night. Flying Squirrels don't actually fly, they glide. To do this, they will get on top of a tree branch or some other thing to launch themselves from. Then they jump, extend all four legs, and they stretch the patagium making a flat airfoil allowing them to glide to another tree. If you want to see pictures and know more about a Southern Flying Squirrel, CLICK HERE!