#Southern flying squirrel professional#

If you are having an issue with southern flying squirrels, it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

Since flying squirrels are quite social and nocturnal, homeowners with a flying squirrel infestation often hear them scurrying around in the attic after midnight. Once inside a home or structure, they can gnaw on electrical wiring, possibly causing an electrical short or fire. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. However, they can do considerable damage to the exterior of homes as they try to create new entryways to access attics and interior wall voids. Southern flying squirrels grow to a maximum length of 285 mm (range: 200-285 mm) and a maximum weight of 90 g (range: 38-90 g). Southern flying squirrels have been implicated in the spread of human diseases, although direct transmission to humans is rare. Southern Flying Squirrel Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers In addition to nesting in high places like attics, flying squirrels can also be found in external walls and between floors, using insulation as nesting material. Flying squirrels are known to enter homes in late fall when temperatures begin to drop. They are rarely found in suburban neighborhoods unless there are heavily wooded areas in the vicinity. The southern flying squirrel will often nest in natural cavities and woodpecker holes. They are rarely found in suburban neighborhoods unless there are heavily wooded areas in the vicinity. Southern flying squirrels are most often found in large hickory and beech trees, as well as maple, poplar, and oak trees. Southern flying squirrels are most often found in large hickory and beech trees, as well as maple, poplar, and oak trees. They can cause odor and damage with their urine, and keep people awake with their nocturnal activity. Southern flying squirrels become pests when they take up residence in a homeowner’s attic or walls. Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista alborufus) gliding. Between their front and rear legs, flying squirrels have a furry membrane called a patagium that enables them to glide through the air, often from one tree to another. Southern Flying squirrel gliding at night Stock Photo Red Giant Flying Squirrel (cf. Southern flying squirrels are known for their ability to glide and are found in deciduous and wooded areas in North America. Flying squirrels can cover more than 150 feet in a single glide.Southern Flying Squirrels in Covington LA It uses slight movements of the legs to steer, and the tail acts as a brake upon reaching its destination. Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) can have significant negative impacts on redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) reproductive success and. When a flying squirrel wants to travel to another tree without touching the ground, it launches itself from a high branch and spreads out its limbs so the gliding membrane is exposed. They have a special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees. Habitat Found in deciduous forests- primarily in stands of oak, hickory, or walnut - the southern flying squirrel is best known in the eastern half of the state. Northern flying squirrels are 10 to 12 inches long.įlying squirrels might more appropriately be called “gliding squirrels” because they aren’t capable of true powered flight that a bird or a bat can do. The southern flying squirrel measures only eight to 10 inches long - but its long distance flights of up to 200 feet make up for any shortcomings in size. The southern species is smaller, about 8 to 10 inches in length. Size is another way to tell northern and southern flying squirrels apart. The animal exhibits large eyes as well as a flattened, wide, and heavily furred tail. They are both gray-brown, but the northern flying squirrel has belly fur that is gray at the base, and for the southern flying squirrel the belly fur is all white. The southern flying squirrel is a considerably small, arboreal rodent. Northern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys volans) are the only two native flying squirrel species found in North America.