Southern Flying Squirrel

gliding · nocturnal · eastern forests

Parachute Skin. Southern flying squirrels have a furry flap of skin called a patagium that stretches between their front and back legs. When they leap from trees, they spread their limbs wide to catch the air and glide gracefully to the ground.

Night Hunters. These squirrels are mostly active at night, which is why you rarely see them. They search for seeds, nuts, and insects while other animals sleep.

Eastern Forest Home. You can find southern flying squirrels in deciduous and mixed forests across the eastern half of North America, from Canada all the way down to Florida.

Scattered Populations. Most of these squirrels live in the eastern United States and Canada, but some families live far away in the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Many Subspecies. Scientists recognize 11 different subspecies of southern flying squirrels, meaning populations in different regions have slight differences from each other.