The southern flying squirrel is the only species of flying squirrel found throughout Missouri, gliding gracefully between mature oak and hickory trees in state forests and rural backyards. These nocturnal creatures, despite their name, do not truly fly but rather glide using a specialized flap of skin called a patagium that stretches between their front and rear legs.
Habitat and Range in Missouri
Within Missouri, these squirrels inhabit mature deciduous forests, particularly those with a high density of oaks and hickories that provide both food and nesting sites. They are found in every county within the state, favoring areas with dense understory and standing snags where they can build nests known as dreys. Urban parks and large residential lots with mature trees also serve as viable habitats, allowing these creatures to thrive in close proximity to human development.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
Smaller than their gray squirrel cousins, flying squirrels in Missouri weigh only 3 to 5 ounces and measure about 10 inches in body length, with a flattened tail adding another 6 to 10 inches. Their soft gray-brown fur on the back and pale underparts, combined with their large, dark eyes and flattened tails, distinguish them visually. The most definitive feature for identification is the loose fold of skin along the sides, which remains tucked until the animal launches into a glide.
Gliding Mechanics
When a southern flying squirrel decides to move between trees, it climbs to a high vantage point, spreads its limbs, and stretches the patagium taut to create a wing-like surface. By adjusting the tension of this membrane and shifting its weight, the squirrel can control direction and speed, descending in a graceful parabolic curve rather than dropping straight down. These glide paths can cover distances of up to 150 feet, allowing the animal to evade ground predators and access distant food sources efficiently.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Primarily omnivorous, Missouri flying squirrels rely heavily on mast crops such as acorns and hickory nuts, which they cache in tree cavities or underground for winter consumption. They also consume fungi, seeds, insects, and bird eggs, demonstrating a flexible diet that changes with seasonal availability. Their foraging activity peaks in the hours immediately following dusk and preceding dawn, minimizing encounters with diurnal competitors and predators.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
These squirrels maintain a polygynous mating system, with males competing for access to multiple females during the late winter and early spring. After a gestation period of approximately 40 days, females give birth to litters of 2 to 7 young in the insulated safety of a tree cavity or attic space. The altricial offspring remain in the nest for about two months, developing the necessary gliding membranes and coordination before becoming independent in the late summer.
Conservation Status and Interactions
Currently, the southern flying squirrel is classified as a species of least concern in Missouri, benefiting from the state's extensive forest management practices and the adaptability of the species. However, they face threats from habitat fragmentation and competition with invasive species like the northern flying squirrel in isolated regions. They are also common hosts for parasites such as fleas and ticks, which necessitates caution when handling injured animals and highlights the importance of using gloves during any wildlife interaction.
Observing Wildlife Responsibly
For residents hoping to observe these agile mammals, the most effective method is to install appropriately sized nest boxes designed specifically for flying squirrels in mature tree canopies. Nighttime walks in quiet woodlands with a red-filtered flashlight can reveal their presence as their eyeshine reflects the light. Maintaining a respectful distance and avoiding direct contact ensures that these fascinating creatures continue to play their vital role in Missouri's nocturnal ecosystem without becoming dependent on human intervention.
