Introduction
Flying squirrels, with their captivating gliding abilities and nocturnal habits, are fascinating creatures. This article delves into the intricacies of their diet and nutritional needs, essential for maintaining their health and well-being, whether in the wild or as exotic pets. Understanding their dietary requirements is paramount for conservation efforts and responsible pet ownership.
Species Overview: Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels
In North America, two primary species of flying squirrels exist: the Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and the Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans).
Northern Flying Squirrel
The Northern flying squirrel inhabits forests across North America, favoring areas abundant with conifer trees. They are proficient gliders, though clumsy walkers on the ground. These squirrels typically breed once a year in a cavity lined with lichen or other soft material. They have thick light brown or cinnamon fur on their upper body, greyish fur on the flanks, and whitish fur underneath, large eyes, and a flat tail. Their long whiskers are characteristic of nocturnal mammals.
Southern Flying Squirrel
The Southern flying squirrel, smaller than its northern counterpart, resides in the forests of the Southern and Eastern United States. Ranging from gray to chestnut with a white belly, they possess large, expressive eyes adapted for nocturnal adventures. Despite their small size (5 to 6 inches in length), Southern Flying Squirrels exhibit remarkable intelligence and can form deep bonds with human companions.
Physical Characteristics
- Weight: Southern flying squirrels typically weigh between 1.8 to 2.5 ounces. Adult flying squirrels weigh approximately 4 to 5 ounces and are approximately 1 foot in length.
- Length: Southern flying squirrels measure around 8 to 10 inches in length.
- Vision: They possess large dark eyes, crucial for night vision.
- Habitat: They are found from southern Canada south to southern Florida, and west to Minnesota and eastern Texas.
Gliding and Arboreal Lifestyle
Flying squirrels are known for their gliding ability, facilitated by a membrane called the patagium, which stretches from their wrists to their ankles. They do not actually fly but glide using this specialized membrane. From atop trees, flying squirrels can initiate glides from a running start or from a stationary position by bringing their limbs under the body, retracting their heads, and then propelling themselves off the tree. They may glide 150 feet or more from a height of 60 feet. It is believed that they use triangulation to estimate the distance of the landing as they often lean out and pivot from side to side before jumping. Once in the air, they form an "X" with their limbs, causing their membrane to stretch into a square-like shape and glide down at angles of 30 to 40 degrees. They maneuver with great efficiency in the air, making 90-degree turns around obstacles if needed. Just before reaching a tree, they raise their flattened tails, which abruptly changes their trajectory upwards, and point all of their limbs forward to create a parachute effect with the membrane to reduce the shock of landing. This adaptation allows them to navigate their arboreal environment efficiently. By adjusting the position of their limbs and using their tail, flying squirrels can control their glide, steering themselves towards their desired destination.
Read also: Feeding Squirrels the Right Way
Natural Diet in the Wild
Flying squirrels are highly adaptable, thriving in various environments and having a diverse diet. Northern flying squirrels are terrestrial feeders, spending a lot of time looking for food. Flying squirrels are herbivores (mycophage, granivores). In the wild, their diet consists of a variety of foods:
- Fungi: A primary food source, including various species of fungi and truffles. Mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D, a must have for nocturnal animals to absorb calcium. Flyers get their Vitamin D by dining on mushrooms and other fungus including truffles when in the wild.
- Nuts: All mast-crop nuts are consumed, often cracked open in the shell to extract the meat or broken into pieces.
- Lichens: These are also a regular part of their diet.
- Tree Sap: An important source of nutrients.
- Insects: Including cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, grubs, and moths. In the wild, flyers eat insects such as cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, grubs, and moths.
- Carrion: They occasionally consume carrion.
- Bird Eggs and Nestlings: These provide essential protein.
- Buds and Flowers: These are consumed seasonally.
- Fruits: A natural source of sugars and vitamins.
Nutritional Needs and Dietary Requirements
Because of their small size, proper nutrition is even more critical for flyers than other species of squirrels. Variety is key! We can never replicate the perfect balanced diet for any species of squirrel. There are many factors such as geographical range, time of year and the lack of research available on the nutritional needs of flying squirrels. Flying squirrels are especially prone to dietary deficiencies such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and it is much harder to treat in flyers. Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is paramount for the health of Southern Flying Squirrels.
Essential Nutrients
- Calcium: Crucial for bone health, especially important due to their nocturnal habits and limited sunlight exposure. Flying squirrels are prone to developing a calcium deficiency. This is due to the fact that they are nocturnal and don't get sufficient sunlight.
- Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption, obtained from mushrooms and other fungi.
- Protein: Necessary for growth and repair, sourced from insects, nuts, and seeds.
- Fiber: Important for digestive health, found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Diet for Pet Flying Squirrels
A good flying squirrel diet consists of a combination of fresh nuts and fruits. For those keeping flying squirrels as pets, a carefully planned diet is essential. The suggested foundation of a squirrel’s diet should be Exotic Nutrition Premium Squirrel Blocks, developed to meet the nutritional needs of captive squirrels. Feed the Premium Squirrel Blocks as the main diet, along with supplemental food sources including Exotic Nutrition's Squirrel Complete, Beneficial Blocks, and Garden Fresh Re-Hydrate.
- Commercial Squirrel Food: A commercial flying squirrel food made by Brisky should also be used. Unlike tree squirrels, flying squirrels require a special type of block designed specifically for their nocturnal needs.
- Nuts: Nuts may include peanuts, pecans or walnuts. Offer nuts in moderation. Flying squirrels crack nuts into many pieces to obtain the meat.
- Fruits: At least 40% of their diet should be fresh fruit to keep their digestive system working smoothly. Fresh fruits may include apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, pears or plums.
- Vegetables: Carrots and other vegetables can be included.
- Insects: If you're caring for a rescue, you can offer insects that are readily available for reptiles in most pet stores. Look for mealworms or wax worms. Mealworms can supplement protein intake.
- Treats: Treats, as with any animal, should be used sparingly.
Additional Dietary Considerations
- Water: Provide water in an open container, not a water bottle.
- Branches: Trees provide an important source of nutrients and chewing on their branches helps flyers maintain healthy teeth. Always provide clean, young branches untreated by pesticides. You can also offer the sap, lichens, flowers, buds, and fruits.
- Supplements: Wombaroo’s High Protein Supplement is a fantastic way to fortify the diet of Sugar Gliders and Flying Squirrels.
Housing and Environment
Flying squirrels should be housed in a wire cage and not an aquarium. A wire cage allows them to climb and provides better air circulation. A flying squirrel needs a small cage during its first few months to restrict their activity level. When the flying squirrel reaches 5 to 6 months of age, a larger cage is appropriate. A nestbox should be mounted near the top of the cage to create a suitable environment for an adult squirrel. Tree cavities and even bird houses may be used as nesting sites. Wood shavings provide a suitable bedding material and all types of wood are acceptable. The squirrel will chose one corner of the cage for its bathroom and that area should be cleaned every few days.
Social Behavior and Nesting
Flying squirrels are not just solitary gliders; they thrive in the company of others. Nesting Sites: They prefer natural tree cavities or man-made nest boxes that provide safety and warmth. Flying squirrels often nest in groups to share body heat and protect each other from the cold. Southern flying squirrels feed and den together, especially during periods of harsh weather. Northern flying squirrels are social animals. They often form groups of 8 individuals, typically including mature squirrels and juveniles. In addition, multiple individuals have been known to live in the same nest. During the winter months, they gather in same-sex units in order to keep warm.
Read also: What Eastern Gray Squirrels Eat
Nocturnal Behavior
Flying squirrels are equipped with large, luminous eyes that are perfectly adapted to see in low light, making them proficient nocturnal navigators. Flying squirrels are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. Northern flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal animals. They have two periods of activity during the day: one occurs an hour after sunset, lasting around 2 hours, whereas the other begins 2 hours before sunrise, lasting for 1.5-2 hours.
Reproduction and Development
Southern flying squirrel have a 40-day gestation period, an average of three to four young are born. A second period occurs in the summer. The babies are born undeveloped with closed eyes and ears, fused toes as well as a cylindrical tail. They are extremely tiny and weigh only 5-6 grams at birth. Their fused toes separate by the 6th day of their lives, while their eyes open after 31 days old. At about 40 days old, young squirrels leave the nest. Complete weaning occurs after 2 months of age, but they often continue living for their mother until 3 months old. Little information is known about the reproductive system of the Northern flying squirrel. They most likely have different mates during each breeding season, which means they may exhibit either polygynous (one male mates with multiple females) or polygynandrous (promiscuous) (both males and females have multiple mates) mating systems. They breed from March to late May. The gestation period lasts for 37-42 days, yielding 1-6 young with an average of 2-4 per year. Males usually don't participate in rearing the offspring.
Conservation Status and Threats
Being widely distributed and quite common throughout its range, the Northern flying squirrel is not currently threatened. However, in certain regions, the Fish and Wildlife Service classified the Northern flying squirrel as Endangered due to sharp population decline as a result of habitat loss, caused by forest clearing and recreational activities. According to IUCN, the Northern flying squirrel is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available.
Threats to Flying Squirrels
- Habitat Loss: Deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to human activities. Do tree work in the fall before animals have created their winter dens and before they give birth in spring.
- Predation: They serve as prey for various predators, impacting their population.
- Climate Change: Alterations in forest ecosystems can affect their food sources and habitat.
Human Interactions and Concerns
Flying squirrels are seldom seen and, thus, their abundance is difficult to document. Flying squirrels are still common today.
Squirrels in Houses
Homeowners often encounter issues with flying squirrels in their houses. Flying squirrels are from homeowners with squirrels in their houses. They readily take up residence in a building if access is available to a sheltered area. They can cause severe damage by chewing to regain entrance to reach their young.
Read also: Diet of *Ictidomys tridecemlineatus*
Prevention and Solutions
- Sealing Entry Points: Prevent squirrels from entering homes by sealing cracks and vulnerable areas. and similar vulnerable areas. other animals from gaining entrance.
- Exclusion: Be sure that no squirrels are trapped inside. can cause severe damage by chewing to regain entrance to reach their young.
- Chimney Access: Prevent access to the fireplace area because it might escape into the room. Install a chimney to provide the means for the animal to climb out.
Bonding with Flying Squirrels
A bonding pouch is a great idea during the bonding process. It should be made of a material that is easy to breath through. This pouch should be placed near your body preferably over the heart. By carrying a squirrel around on your body so that they feel the heartbeat, body warmth and body odor, the bond takes place.
Misconceptions and Facts
Contrary to what their name might suggest, flying squirrels do not actually fly. Inspired by the gliding habits of flying squirrels, humans have made a special suit that imitates this rodent and is used by base jumpers and skydivers, allowing them to slow their descent and perform different maneuvers while flying. The flying squirrel's body secretes an oil that totally repels any lice, fleas, mites, ticks, etc. There has never been a known case of rabies in flying squirrels.