Mariton: Flying Squirrels

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager

I checked the flying squirrel (Glaucomyus volans) boxes recently.  Back in October I found that mice were living in both boxes.  I wanted to see if the mice were still there, or if the flying squirrels had evicted them.  I was hoping that the flying squirrels would use the special made condos, but Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary has lots of natural tree cavities ideal for these interesting creatures.

A flying squirrel in a bluebird nestbox.

I know flying squirrels will inhabit manmade cavities.  I’ve found their nests (and the actual squirrels) in bluebird boxes during the winter before.  Maureen and I have even shared space with them in different houses where we lived.   We have some wonderful stories about a living with flying squirrels.

A Flying Squirrel Nest. You can see the passageway between apartments in the ceiling/floor.

I was really pleased to find flying squirrel nests in both boxes.  The nest is very characteristic and is made of shredded bark and other fine materials.  The condos I put up have three stacked “apartments” above each other with access from one floor to another.  Flying squirrels like communal living.  In fact, they will form “huddles” of a dozen individuals during the winter to conserve heat.  While I didn’t find any flying squirrels this time, I know they are using the two boxes and hope to see them sometime in the future.