Flying Squirrel Homes

Flying Squirrels [Site Map] \|\| Bats \|\| Bluebirds \|\| Kestrel Falcon Homes \|\| Live Cam Flying Squirrel house: 1, 2(bird house), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Next >> Flying Squirrel Homes Night photos: Winter nest, feeder, baby[?].
Left side pet photo courtesy The Den Drey at Phantom Farm, right side pet photo courtesy Andrew's Pet Page ABOVE: Southern Flying Squirrels in the wild (top row) and also as a pets (bottom row): The first 2 are in a Bluebird nest box. The B&W photo is a remote night vision photo in the same nest box. The upside-down one is eating at a feeder. A pet one is flying over to greet its owner, and another pet is shown 1 day before having 2 babies.
Why help Flying Squirrels? They don't need any help here in MD. I just like them. If nest boxes are built for them, they will be less likely to live in your attic or compete for Bluebird boxes. Their housing structure requirements are the same as that of the Bluebird's, though customized functionality can provide even better breeding habitat. I consider any Bluebird box in a tree as a Flying Squirrel box. Especially if it is placed 10' or higher. Most of my nest boxes with Flying Squirrels in them are on trees or on wooden posts near trees. Flying Squirrels rarely use my boxes on metal posts, and don't stay long if they do. Providing refuge for these nocturnal squirrels reduces the competition for houses intended exclusively for Bluebirds. I also think that these are unique and interesting little animals. At first glance, they appear similar in size and appearance to Hamsters or Chipmunks but with a chipmunk-like tail that is slightly flattened. This flat tail slows them down when landing. To give you even more of an idea of their size, their nesting box entrance holes are only 1 1/4 - 2 inches in diameter. It is difficult to see the flaps of skin used for gliding unless they are airborne. I recently heard that in some forests of the DC suburbs... Flying Squirrels might outnumber Grey Squirrels, the ones most of us see everyday.
Started: Feb 7, 2002. Last updated: 2/29/2004. Web site is not-for-profit & run by: John R.C.