During the winter flying squirrels often huddle together in large communal nests, sometimes with populations numbering over two dozen squirrels, in an effort to keep warm. Two years ago 22 of these nocturnal creatures spent the majority of the winter in my log cabin, doing just that. Although flying squirrels do not hibernate, if temperatures become too severe the squirrels will enter a state of torpor until temperatures return to normal.
This entry was posted on February 23, 2012 by Mary Holland. It was filed under Adaptations, Animal Adaptations, February, Mammals, Rodents, Winter Adaptations and was tagged with Flying Squirrels, Glaucomys sabrinus, Glaucomys volans, Northern Flying Squirrel, Rodents, Southern Flying Squirrel, Squirrels, Winter Adaptations, Winter Survival.
Click the image above to order the updated edition of the award-winning original NATURALLY CURIOUS
Click image to order from the publisher.
Click image to order from the publisher.
Click here to order Naturally Curious Day by Day
Click on image to order from the publisher.
Click on image to order YODEL THE YEARLING from publisher
Click on image to order OTIS THE OWL from publisher
Click on image to order ANIMAL TAILS
Click to order my newest children's book ANIMAL LEGS
Click to order my children's book ANIMAL MOUTHS
Click to order my children's book ANIMAL EYES
Click on image to order ANIMAL EARS from publisher.
Click here to order my children's book THE BEAVERS' BUSY YEAR
Click to order my children's book FERDINAND FOX'S FIRST SUMMER.
Click to order my first book, a photographic guide for children entitled Milkweed Visitors.
Click here to order ANIMAL HOMES from publisher.
Naturally Curious with Mary Holland
You have an uncanny way of writing about things I have JUST seen or will in a day or two after you mention them! We had two flying squirrels at our bird feeder two days before you wrote about them. Incredibly cute little fellows.
Quick question – who is the long legged, sort of long shield shaped body and long antennae guy that I see in my house frequently over the winter? He’s a very slow mover.
I totally enjoy your stories. Kathryn
February 23, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Hi Kathryn,
I believe you are referring to the Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, which is totally harmless. I’ve written a short essay about this insect on page 260 of my book, Naturally Curious, which also has a close-up photograph of one.
February 23, 2012 at 2:03 pm
I think the flying squirrels have a good idea, energy efficiency at its (almost) best…….the true hibernaters are the best.
February 23, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Twenty two flying squirrels wintering in your cabin! I need more. How did you know there were that many? Did they come into the living space? Do you have lots of fun stories?
Hoping to attend your March talk at Silk Farm in Concord.
February 23, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Hi Cindy,
I knew I had something live in my house, because every morning the little nicknacks on my fireplace mantle would be on the floor…I finally saw the first culprit scurry across the mantle. I THINK there were 22, because that’s how many I live-trapped…but there are some who feel I may have just been trapping the same two or three squirrels night after night…I should have marked them! I do have a number of fun stories — if you make it to my Concord program, you’ll hear a few!
February 23, 2012 at 4:02 pm
That’s him! Thanks! I just knew you would know.
Where do you do most of your searching and finding? You seem to have an incredible variety of areas near you – ponds, wetlands, forests…. I enjoy it all. Thanks so much!
February 23, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I live in a wooded area, Kathryn, with very few wetlands nearby, so I have certain ponds, etc. that I visit on a regular basis. It is amazing, however, how much you can find within a short distance of home — a field, patch of woods and a pond and I’m all set! I’ve always dreamed of living in a small house on a beaver pond, as that is my favorite habitat, should you hear of one!
February 23, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Hi Mary,
This Holland family sends our best. We enjoy your observations and can relate to many of them. As we live in the woods as well, flying squirrels have also taken residence. In fact, Krystal awoke to one sitting on a chair in the bedroom during the middle of the night. Racoons are everywhere but not int the house (yet).
Hope all is well. Nick (your favorite) sends his best also. Take care.
Henry Holland
February 23, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Another documented strategy–a communal pile of nuts are gathered and stored in winter quarters–but each squirrel mouths the nut it stores imparting a scent which proclaims
which nuts are his/hers. They are communal but not communits!
February 23, 2012 at 3:44 pm
That is incredibly interesting information! And your last comment is priceless, Meade!
February 23, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Hi Mary,
Our family sends you our best. As we live in the woods as well, flyers like yours like our house. In fact, one was perched on a chair in our bedroom one night. Kyrstal was not happy. We have chased them out of bird houses but rarely see them fly. We don’t stay up to try that.
Did you get my previous comment? Nick (your favorite) and I send our best. I enjoy your blogs.
Henry Holland
February 24, 2012 at 2:38 pm
thanks this helped me in a project!
April 21, 2014 at 9:58 pm
So glad!
April 21, 2014 at 11:17 pm