Southern flying squirrel

It is nocturnal. It uses habitats including mature hardwood and mixed forests, wooded neighbourhoods and parks with tree cavities. It feeds on nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi, insects, bird eggs and other small foods.

It climbs to height and glides downward by spreading the patagium between the front and hind legs. The flattened tail helps steer and brake before landing on a trunk.

By eating truffles and other fungi, flying squirrels spread fungal spores that help tree roots acquire nutrients.

Flying squirrels eat nuts, seeds and fungi. Their movement of underground fungi spreads spores that form mycorrhizal partnerships with tree roots, helping forests cycle nutrients.

A glide is controlled flight without flapping: the squirrel can change direction in the air and land feet-first on a vertical trunk.

Mating — peaks in late winter and again in summer in the Southeast.
Gestation — about 40 days.
Nestling — litters commonly contain 2–4 young, born naked and blind in a cavity nest.
Weaning — roughly 6–8 weeks, with juveniles remaining near the natal area while learning to glide.

• Trim access routes and seal building entry points only after confirming no squirrels are trapped inside.
• Cap chimneys and vents with wildlife-safe materials; small openings can admit a flying squirrel.
• Keep cats indoors at night, when flying squirrels are most active.
• Retain safe cavity trees where possible because tree hollows are natural den sites.

• Flying squirrels can fly like bats. They glide on a skin membrane and cannot gain altitude by flapping.
• A squirrel in an attic must be active in daytime. Southern flying squirrels are mainly nocturnal, so noises may be strongest after dark.
• They are rare because people seldom see them. They can be common in suitable woods but are easy to miss because they are small and nocturnal.

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