Southern Flying Southern Flying SquirrelSquirrel

Glaucomys VolansGlaucomys VolansName: Paige EntwistleName: Paige Entwistle

Grade: 6Grade: 6School: Fessenden Public SchoolSchool: Fessenden Public School

Scientific ClassificationScientific ClassificationKingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaClass: MammaliaOrder: RodentiaOrder: RodentiaFamily: SciuridaeFamily: SciuridaeGenus: GlaucomysGenus: GlaucomysSpecies: G.volansSpecies: G.volansTribe: PteromyiniTribe: Pteromyini

HabitatHabitat Eastern United StatesEastern United States Canada:Canada:

Southern CanadaSouthern CanadaOntario – Muskoka and the Ottawa ValleyOntario – Muskoka and the Ottawa ValleyParts of Quebec and Nova ScotiaParts of Quebec and Nova Scotia

Forests:Forests:Carolinian deciduous forests Carolinian deciduous forests Hardwood forests of oak, maple, beech, Hardwood forests of oak, maple, beech,

and hickoryand hickory

AppearanceAppearanceWhite BelliesWhite BelliesA loose flap of skin from wrist to ankleA loose flap of skin from wrist to ankleGray tailGray tailSoft fur on backSoft fur on backFlattened tailFlattened tail21 to 26 cm in length 21 to 26 cm in length Tail is 8-12 cm in lengthTail is 8-12 cm in length

Life CycleLife Cycle Birth: hairless eyelids Birth: hairless eyelids

sealed; internal sealed; internal organs visible through organs visible through skin; weight 3-6g; skin; weight 3-6g; length 60 mmlength 60 mm

Day 14: face and back Day 14: face and back fur turning brown, chin fur turning brown, chin and chest develop and chest develop with fur,; weight 10-with fur,; weight 10-15g; can right itself 15g; can right itself immediatelyimmediately

Day 21: responds to Day 21: responds to loud noisesloud noises

Day 25-28: animal now Day 25-28: animal now fully furred; weight fully furred; weight 25g, length 15 cm; 25g, length 15 cm; eyes open; whiskers eyes open; whiskers now 25 mm (1 inch) now 25 mm (1 inch) longlong

Day 37: first excursion Day 37: first excursion outside of nest (usually outside of nest (usually a few seconds); can a few seconds); can ascend tree trunks ascend tree trunks slowlyslowly

Day 50: glides up to 1.8 Day 50: glides up to 1.8 m (6 feet)m (6 feet)

Day 84:Capable of Day 84:Capable of independent survivalindependent survival

DietDietThese animals are omnivorousThese animals are omnivorousNuts Nuts SeedsSeedsBerriesBerries InsectsInsectsTree budsTree budsEggsEggsNestlingsNestlings

PredatorsPredators OwlsOwls MartensMartens FishersFishers RacoonsRacoons CoyotesCoyotes House catsHouse cats BobcatsBobcats LynxesLynxes WeaselsWeasels Arboreal snakesArboreal snakes RattlesnakesRattlesnakes

How the Species contributes to How the Species contributes to the diversity of lifethe diversity of life

Flying squirrels provide food for their Flying squirrels provide food for their predatorspredators

Things the flying squirrel doesn’t eat Things the flying squirrel doesn’t eat turns into trees or plants for other turns into trees or plants for other animalsanimals

Also humans can use the plants and Also humans can use the plants and trees for shade, wood, oxygen, trees for shade, wood, oxygen, shelter and foodshelter and food

How Humans impact their How Humans impact their environmentenvironment

Cuts down the treesCuts down the treesBuild cottages and homes where Build cottages and homes where

they livethey liveBuilds farmsBuilds farmsSome forests have been stemmed so Some forests have been stemmed so

flying squirrels can returnflying squirrels can return

How humans can help this How humans can help this species survivespecies survive

Stop cutting down so many treesStop cutting down so many treesStem more forestsStem more forestsDon’t build anything in the forests Don’t build anything in the forests

they live inthey live in

Interesting factsInteresting facts Flying squirrels are also known as “squirrel Flying squirrels are also known as “squirrel

gliders” because they can’t actually fly, gliders” because they can’t actually fly, they glidethey glide

When flying squirrels “fly” they us their When flying squirrels “fly” they us their tails as a rudder to steer themselves tails as a rudder to steer themselves

Depending on the takeoff height the flying Depending on the takeoff height the flying squirrel can glide 50 metres or moresquirrel can glide 50 metres or more

The flying squirrel is not a true squirrel The flying squirrel is not a true squirrel but, like squirrels, they have breakaway but, like squirrels, they have breakaway tailstails

More Fun Facts!More Fun Facts! Flying squirrels are most active between Flying squirrels are most active between

dusk and dawndusk and dawn House cats and horned owls are a flying House cats and horned owls are a flying

squirrels biggest predatorsquirrels biggest predator Flying squirrels are not endangered and Flying squirrels are not endangered and

are at the least concern on the are at the least concern on the conservation statusconservation status

ReferencesReferences www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids Encyclopedia of animals-Karen Mcghee, Encyclopedia of animals-Karen Mcghee,

George MckayGeorge Mckay Nature Encyclopedia- The FireflyNature Encyclopedia- The Firefly Animal Encyclopedia-Dorling KindersleyAnimal Encyclopedia-Dorling Kindersley Animal the Definite Visual Guide- Animal the Definite Visual Guide-

SmithsonianSmithsonian www.wikipedia.com www.flyingsquirrels.com