The southern flying squirrel [1] ( lat. Glaucomys volans ) is a small rodent of the squirrel family.
| South flying squirrel |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| Nadotryad : | Euarchontoglires |
| Rod: | American flying squirrels |
| View: | South flying squirrel |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Glaucomys volans ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
| Area |
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| Security status |
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Least concernIUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 9240 |
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The fur color is gray-brown on top, darker on the sides and cream-colored on the bottom. The eyes are large, dark, the tail is flat. Fluffy membranes extend between the front and rear legs and are used for air planning. Body length 12-14 cm, tail length 9-11 cm, weight up to 190 g
The species is common in North America in Canada ( Ontario , Quebec ), Guatemala , Honduras , Mexico , USA . It prefers deciduous and mixed forests, especially beech-maple, oak-nut and poplar. Also found in old gardens.
Uses the abandoned hollows of woodpeckers, as well as abandoned nests of birds and squirrels. This species is very sociable, especially in winter, when communal nests are formed. The diet includes plant and animal products. It feeds on insects in spring, nuts, seeds, fruits until the end of the year. Can eat birds (especially eggs and chicks) and carrion. Makes stocks for the winter. The species is active at night throughout the year, with the exception of extremely cold winters, when the animal enters a state of stupor. Natural predators: snakes, owls, hawks, raccoons, domestic cats.
The gestation period lasts about 40 days. Peak births in April — May and at the end of summer in the north, at the end of February — March and September — October in the south. Cubs become independent at the age of about 120 days. The litter usually consists of 2–3 cubs in the south and 3–4 cubs in the north. Females give two offspring per year.
