Description ²

Flying squirrels are easily distinguished by the "gliding membrane", a flap of loose skin that extends from wrist to ankle. The loose skin along the side of the body is supported by stiff extensions of the wrists and ankles. The soft fur on the back and tail is grey and the belly is white. The tail is flattened. They are 21 to 26 cm in length with a tail measuring 8 to 12 cm in length.

Habitat ³

Southern flying squirrels are found in woodlands. They seem to prefer seed-producing hardwoods, particularly maple, beech, hickory, oak, and poplar. They are also found in mixed conifer/deciduous forests.

Conservation status ⁴

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Stephen Durrenberger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/5569449403_df557cd6f2_o.jpg
2. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25064978
3. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31396349
4. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31396359

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• ASM Mammal Diversity Database
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• iNaturalist Mammal Working Group
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• VertNet

Range Map

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