At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
Soft, silky fur with a gliding membrane
A tiny squirrel with a furry gliding membrane, the patagium, stretching from wrist to ankle and edged in dark fur. It has grey-brown upperparts, a creamy belly, a flat tail used for steering and very large dark eyes suited to night life. Wild animals usually live 3 to 5 years, while captive ones average around 10 years.12
Personality what they are like
A gentle-looking, curious night-time squirrel that is quick and agile. It is strongly social and enjoys snuggling with companions in a shared nest.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Strictly nocturnal and very agile. It glides between trees at angles of about 30 to 40 degrees, so it appreciates tall space with branches and safe landing spots.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs no brushing. Captive-bred southern flying squirrels are kept as small 'pocket pets'. Provide nest boxes, since it naturally sleeps in tree hollows.32
Home where they are happiest
Wild flying squirrels nest in tree cavities or leaf nests in woodland. A tall enclosure with climbing branches and enclosed nest boxes matches these habits.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivorous: nuts and fruit from trees such as oak, hickory and beech, plus seeds, berries, buds, fungi, insects and occasionally eggs. It stores food from late autumn.12
Company who they like around
Highly social. In winter, groups of up to 20 to 25 share a nest, saving about 30% of their energy compared with nesting alone.12
The story where it all began
Linnaeus described the species in 1758. It is one of three North American flying squirrels, and captive-bred animals have become established as small household pets.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Glides can reach about 28 m, though most are 6 to 9 m long, and it can make 90-degree turns in mid-air.4
- 2
Its fur glows pink under ultraviolet light, a trait found in all three North American flying squirrel species.3
- 3
Winter nest groups of up to 25 squirrels save energy by huddling together.1
- 4
A captive southern flying squirrel has been recorded living to 19 years.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Wild species assessed as Least Concern1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Southern Flying Squirrel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- EnrichmentNew things to explore every dayevery day
- Nails checkevery month
- Weigh inevery 2 weeks
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Southern flying squirrel - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, coat, gliding, social nesting, diet, naming
- Animal Diversity Web - Glaucomys volans animaldiversity.orgused for weight, length, lifespan, gliding distance, habitat, behaviour, diet
- Flying squirrel - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for pet keeping, UV fluorescence, captive lifespan
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.