NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL SKIN

Populations are now restricted to isolated areas at high elevations, separated by vast areas of unsuitable habitat. Threatsīecause the Carolina northern flying squirrel is adapted to cold, boreal conditions, its range has probably been shrinking due to natural conditions since the last ice age. Most captures have come from Roan Mountain on the North Carolina and Tennessee border, where a total of 25 individuals have been taken since 1968. No population estimates are available, but the Carolina northern flying squirrel is extremely rare and also difficult to study. The closest relative of the Carolina northern flying squirrel is the Virginia northern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus ), also classified as endangered, and known only from a few areas in Virginia and West Virginia. This subspecies may have been declining since the last ice age, when the climate began warming and left the remaining suitable habitat limited to a few scattered areas at high elevations. Only a few specimens have been captured since that time. The northern flying squirrel is typically a species found in more northern areas of the United States, and it was well into the twentieth century before the species was found to occur in the eastern United States to the south of New York. Mitchell), and two localities in the eastern mountains of Tennessee (Carter and Sevier Counties). The Carolina northern flying squirrel is known from five isolated localities: three in the western mountains of North Carolina (Yancey County, Haywood County, and the vicinity of Mt. They also sometimes enter burrows in the ground, although the extent of their use is not yet known. The interior of both types of nests is lined with lichens, moss, or finely chewed bark. During the cooler months, squirrels commonly occupy tree cavities and woodpecker holes, but may also construct and use leaf nests -especially in the summer. Because of the small size of the squirrel, the climatic severity of its habitat, and the abundance of avian and mammalian predators, nesting sites represent a critical resource. Both forest types are used in the search for food, while the hardwood areas are needed for nesting sites. The northern flying squirrel occurs primarily in the ecotone (or transition zone) between coniferous and northern hardwood forests. Over much of its range, the northern flying squirrel can apparently subsist on lichens and fungi, but also eats certain seeds, buds, fruit, staminate cones, insects, and other animal material. Northern flying squirrels apparently live in family groups of adults and juveniles. Northern flying squirrels are relatively gregarious and are known to share nests however, the large winter nesting aggregations reported for the southern flying squirrel are unknown for this species. Two captive females taken in North Carolina each bore four young. However, trapping data from the southern Appalachians suggest a single annual litter in early spring. Have two litters of two to six young per year and a gestation period of 37 to 42 days. Little information about reproductive biology is available for this subspecies. The northern flying squirrel can be distinguished from the southern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys volans ) by its larger size the gray base of its ventral hairs as opposed to a white base in the southern species the relatively longer upper tooth row and the short, stout penis bone of the males. Juveniles have a uniform dark, slate-gray back, and an off-white underside. Adults are gray with a brownish, tan, or reddish wash on the back, and are grayish white or buffy white ventrally.

NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL SKIN

The broad tail and folds of skin between the wrist and ankle form an aerodynamic surface used for gliding. It has prominent eyes and dense, silky fur.

Its long, broad, flattened tail makes up 80% of the body length. The Carolina northern flying squirrel is a small, nocturnal gliding mammal some 10-12 in (25-30 cm) in total length and 3-5 oz (88-148 g) in weight. Occurs in small, isolated habitats subjected to destruction or disturbance by human activities. Lichens, fungi, seeds, buds, fruit, insects, and other animal material.īears one litter per year in a nest in a tree-cavity. Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus Status