Humboldt's flying squirrel

Humboldt's flying squirrel
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Genus:	Glaucomys
Species:	G. oregonensis
Binomial name
Glaucomys oregonensis (Bachman, 1839)

Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis) is one of three species of the genus Glaucomys, the only flying squirrels found in North America.

Taxonomy

Using genetic analyses, Arbogast et al. (2017) showed that Humboldt's flying squirrel, previously thought to be conspecific with the northern flying squirrel, was actually a distinct species. The San Bernardino flying squirrel subspecies (G. o. californicus) is considered a Critically Imperiled Subspecies by NatureServe.

Description

They do not actually fly but glide from tree to tree. They are similar in appearance to the northern flying squirrel, however, they are generally smaller and have darker pelage. They are good gliders but clumsy walkers on the ground.

Diet and behaviour

They feed on a variety of plant material as well as tree sap, fungi, insects, carrion, bird eggs and nestlings. They mostly breed once a year in a cavity lined with lichen or other soft material. Unlike most members of their family, flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal. They nest in the tops of the trees away from the ground and predators.

Distribution and habitat

Habitat of Humboldt's flying squirrel

Humboldt's flying squirrels are found in coniferous and mixed coniferous forests from southern British Columbia to southern California. They live in thick coastal forests where there is plenty of room for them to glide from tree to tree.