Flying Squirrel  Flying Squirrels (also called Southern Flying Squirrels) are found in the southern USA and in the eastern states from Canada, in the north, to Florida, in the south.
They have been documented as tame pocket pets for hundreds of years. Captain John Smith, Governor of Johnstown Colony, wrote about them in the year 1606. Other early writings also tell of how easily they may be tamed.
They have beautiful soft fur, gorgeous large dark eyes, and gliding membranes that stretch from their wrists to their ankles, which allow them to "fly" for 100 feet or more. A full grown Flying Squirrel will weigh only 3 to 5 ounces. If properly fed, they can live up to 15 years. They are nocturnal, but do not mind being woken up during the day.
For housing, the minimum size wire habitat for one Flying Squirrel should be 2' x 2' x1', with a wire spacing maximum of 1/2". A nest box measuring 5" x 5" x 5", with a removable top, should be provided to give it a dark place to sleep. The nest box should be furnished with cotton, shavings, or grass hay for bedding. As with all animals, they require a constant supply of water. Some owners prefer water bottles while others like dishes. If you choose a dish to supply their water needs, make sure it is shallow enough so they cannot drown. Non-toxic branches, bird perches, and an exercise wheel are also important for exercise.
Their nutritional requirements are easy to take care of. They eat very little, but what they are fed is very important. Most Flying Squirrels eat a few grams of commercial pelleted feeds per day. Calcium - mineral block, occasional pieces of fruit, nuts, and Vitamin D-3. You may also feed a dried ear of corn and pecans.
Perhaps the most unique feature of Flying Squirrels is their bonding ability to humans. They absolutely love to travel in ones' pocket or bonding pouch for hours... all day if you'd let them. Also unique is their ability to "fly". Actually, they glide from one thing to another, and to see their gliding membrane spread out in full flight is an awesome sight! They are also know for their "questionmark" (?) pose. They will wrap their beautiful feather-like tail around their body and face in a very interesting position.
The only downside to a Flying Squirrel is that they will chew things. If it gets away from you and gets into the attic (for example), it can chew through wires. They are also able to chew on wood, plastic, and fabrics. If your Flying Squirrel isn't bonded, be sure it is restrained.
Flying Squirrels can be bred successfully in captivity. Generally speaking, the female will have 3 to 4 babies per litter, once or twice per year. She needs to be isolated before giving birth and kept in her own private maternity cage. The gestation period is 42 days and weaning will average 8 weeks, although sometimes as early as 6 1/2 weeks.
Flying Squirrels are extremely healthy animals. Even though they have been around as pets for hundreds of years, there has never been a recorded case of rabies. They do require calcium and Vitamin D-3, which is critical to their well-being. Unlike many pets which require normal household temperatures, such as 70 - 75 degrees, the squirrel will do fine if kept outdoors. If he is kept outdoors, however, do not place in direct sunlight, and in the winter, protect them from the wind and snow.
With minimal care from its' owner, the Flying Squirrel may become the favorite pet of the family!
DOES A FLYING SQUIRREL REALLY FLY?... No! they actually glide. They can glide (always downward) a long distance - 3 horizontal feet for every vertical foot. In other words, if they were in a tree 50 feet tall, they could glide up to 150 feet.
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