advertisement

Cute nocturnal flying squirrels could take up residence in your backyard

Cute nocturnal flying squirrels could take up residence in your backyard

For those of us of a certain age, it's hard not to recall TV's Rocky and Bullwinkle when thinking of flying squirrels. No, they don't all live in Frostbite Falls. In fact, southern flying squirrels can be seen right here in our corner of Northern Illinois.

I was reminded of this at the grocery store when I ran into the mother of a high school classmate. She described an unusual nocturnal visitor to her bird feeder. It only took a few questions to confirm that she has her own backyard Rocky.

I'm disinclined to use the word cute when describing wildlife, but there is no way to avoid the word when it comes to flying squirrels. Next to the least chipmunk, the southern flying squirrel is the smallest squirrel in the Great Lakes region. They only weigh two ounces and measure nine to 10 inches long, tail included. These big-eyed sprites have soft, velvety, brownish fur with white underparts.

This flying squirrel enjoys a nocturnal snack of seeds at a bird feeder. Courtesy of Peter Schwarz

They are shy and gentle and, except during mating season, seem to enjoy the company of their fellows. As many as 20 squirrels have been seen huddled together in a single winter nest.

While bats can truly fly, flying squirrels glide downward from one tree to another. Their "wings" are actually folds of skin that run from the squirrels' front to their back legs. Typically, they can "fly" 20 to 30 feet, although they have been known to sail as far as 100 feet.

Birds vs. Animals

The Cherokee have a wonderful story about how flying squirrels and bats got their wings. It seems the Animals challenged the Birds to a great ballgame and the Birds accepted. Bear, the Animals' leader, bragged about how strong he was and, of course, everyone knew how fast Deer was.

The birds were led by Eagle and they had Hawk; both swift and strong fliers. After a pregame dance, two little animals climbed up the tree where Eagle perched and asked if they could play ball. Eagle said, "Why don't you join the Animals? You belong there."

"They drive us away," the little ones answered, "because we are so small."

Eagle pitied them. "But you have no wings."

Then, Eagle and the other Birds held a council in the trees. "We will make wings for you," they told the tiny mammals.

The Birds used two strips of leather from their drum to fashion wings for the first little creature. Hence, Tlameha, the Bat, came to be. After teaching him to fly, they turned to the other furry animal.

Unfortunately, they had no more leather. So, two large birds grabbed him from opposite sides and stretched his skin. Thus, they made Tewa, the Flying Squirrel. As you might expect, Tlameha and Tewa, who had been laughed at by the Animals, helped win the ballgame for the Birds.

The hole story

Due to their nocturnal habits, flying squirrels often go unnoticed. If you hear something go bump in the night, you might want to shine a light on your bird feeder. Also, keep an eye on old birdhouses, particularly if you've put one up for screech owls or wood-ducks.

One of those might easily become a squirrel den. In fact, that's just what happened here at Stillman Nature Center.

A box provides shelter for this southern flying squirrel. Nest box plans are available at various Department of Natural Resources' websites. Courtesy of Valerie Blaine

Roughly 15 years ago, Charlie Kilby put up wood-duck and kestrel boxes for his Eagle Scout project. Some months later, he came back to check on his duck houses. This involves leaning a tall ladder up against the tree with the nest box.

In one instance, Charlie was so startled he nearly fell off the ladder. As you might have guessed, as he reached the box, a flying squirrel suddenly popped out, glided to another tree, and then out of sight.

Before there were nest boxes, there were, and still are, natural cavities. Old woodpecker nest holes are a particular favorite for flying squirrels. The hole only need be 1.5 inches across for these little guys. Of course, appropriate holes are more common in dead trees than live ones.

Speaking of trees, southern flying squirrels love oaks, pines, maples, and hickories. Nothing these cute critters like better than to chew on acorns, seeds, or nuts. They will also eat fruit, fungi, and insects.

Since ripe seeds and nuts often fall to the ground, flying squirrels like shrubby thickets that provide cover when they are on the ground. That would be cover from predators such as owls, coyotes, weasels and, unfortunately, domestic cats.

Water is another important habitat component. Captive flying squirrels that have been deprived of water overnight will drink intensively the following day.

So, if possible, leave a dead tree or two in your yard. The right-sized tree cavity might just become a flying squirrel nest. Finally, please keep your pets inside at night because, unlike Rocky, our flying squirrels don't have a talking moose to protect them.

• Mark Spreyer is executive director of the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington. Email him at stillnc@wildblue.net.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.