The Northern Flying Squirrel
glaucomys sabrinus
Threat: Can damage electrical wiring creating potential fire hazards if nesting in attic spaces.
Flying Squirrel On Tree Just Outside Calgary, Alberta
The Northern Flying Squirrel is smaller tree squirrel that primarily lives in dense forested areas. They are excellent gliders and climbers, but are very clumsy when walking on the ground. Unlike other squirrel species in the region, the Northern Flying Squirrel is nocturnal. They will often nest in dead trees, underground hollows, or build dreys in the upper parts of tree branches. Occasionally, they will find their way into a house or other human structure. Because they are nocturnal, and they often glide when exiting high nests, they have often been mistaken for bats by some people. Northern Flying Squirrels will often move around from one nest/drey to another throughout the year except when birthing.
The Northern Flying Squirrels do not hibernate in the winter, and while they are mostly solitary, they will usually aggregate in nests of nearly a dozen individuals to conserve body heat in the cold winter months.
