Ep. 278 : Getting to know the Southern Flying Squirrel

About this episode

Byron explores the Southern Flying Squirrel and shares insights from his tracking experiences.

While out tracking in the new snow the other day I came across some relatively small tracks, reminiscent of a Chipmunk ( Tamias striatus) or Red Squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ), though small enough to be a Short-tailed Weasel ( Mustela ermina ). It took a second before I recognized them as Southern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys volans ) tracks. I have been encountering Southern Flying Squirrels in various ways for a few years, including tracks, scat, feeding sign, live sightings, and I even pet one once, but through all of this, I didn’t know much about them. Hence, inspired by my recent tracking outing, I figured I would take some time to get to know the Southern Flying Squirrel a little better. Hopefully we can learn a little more together. To learn more : Mammal Tracks and Sign by Mark Elbroch and Casey McFarland. Stackpole Books, 2019. The Wild Mammals of Missouri 3rd Ed. by Charles W. Shwartz and Elizabeth R. Shwartz. University of Missouri Press, 2016. Mammals of Algonquin Provincial Park . The Friends of Algonquin Park, 2018. Climate change induced hybridization in flying squirrels by GARROWAY, BOWMAN, CASCADEN, HOLLOWAY, MAHAN, MALCOLM, STEELE, TURNER, WILSON. Global…

People in this episode

Host: Byron

Topics covered

• Southern Flying Squirrel
• wildlife tracking
• mammal behavior
• habitat
• climate change
• species interaction

Keywords

• Southern Flying Squirrel
• tracking
• wildlife
• mammals
• climate change
• habitat

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Friends of Algonquin Park

Books & works: Mammal Tracks and Sign, The Wild Mammals of Missouri 3rd Ed., Mammals of Algonquin Provincial Park, Climate change induced hybridization in flying squirrels

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