Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel || Elisabeth Huetter
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
By: Elisabeth Huetter
(Source: www.forums.applenova.com)
What is the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel?
The Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) is a small nocturnal gliding mammal that is found in the Southern Appalachians (ECOS Species Profile). When full grown, the squirrel is ten to twelve inches long and three to five ounces in weight. Adults have bright cinnamon-brown fur on their backs, gray fur on their faces and the tip of the tail, and grayish-white fur on the belly. One of the squirrels most noticeable attributes is their broad, flattened tail and folds of skin between the wrist and ankle that create an aerodynamic surface that help let the squirrel "fly" from tree to tree.
(Source: www.sierralegacy.org)
Where can the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel be found?
The Northern Flying Squirrel is primarily found in the high elevation mixed red spruce-northern hardwood and spruce-fir forests of North Carolina, Tennessee and parts of Virginia . While there is some territorial overlap with the Southern Flying Squirrel between elevation areas between 4000-5000 feet, the Northern Flying Squirrel's primary habitat is higher elevation forests.
(Source: www.wildlife.org)
What has been some Geographic and Population changes the Northern Flying Squirrel has seen?
The Carolina Northern Flying squirrel has seen extreme habitat loss in the last 120 years. Between the 1880's and the 1920's, there was extensive logging in both the Southern and Northern Squirrel's habitats. As a result of this logging, 500,000 acres of habitat for both types of squirrels was reduced 200 acres.
As a result of this significant reduction to habitat, the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel had a severe population decline. While their original numbers are not known, by 1985 there were only 33 recorded Northern Flying Squirrels.
1890's Logging in North Carolina
(Source: www.ncpedia.org)
Is the Carolina Northern Flying squirrel Endangered?
As of July 1, 1985 the species has been listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Why is the species endangered?
The squirrel was originally put on the Endangered Species List because the recorded population had dropped to a dangerously low level, and conservationists recognized that measures needed to be put in place if there was to be any chance of survival for the squirrel.
What challenges does the squirrel face today?
The leading problems that the squirrel faces today are habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and a shallow genetic pool. This leads to a multitude of other problems like significant alterations to community composition, squirrel interactions and ecosystem functioning as well as susceptibility to diseases like the internal
nematode parasite Strongyloides robustus.
Current Range of Carolina Northern Squirrel
(Source: https://ecos.fws.gov)
What is being done to help the Squirrel recover?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put in place a four part plan to help recover the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel population.
The Four Part Recovery Plan
- Figure out the exact range of both types of squirrels.
- Protect areas with suitable habitat.
- Explore the ecology of the squirrel.
- Test the response to various habitat changes, focusing on how to make the habitat better and harvest trees in a way that won’t disturb the squirrels.
What can I do to help?
If you are ever in the Appalachian region, volunteers are always needed to help with checking the flying squirrel boxes each winter. Squirrels are captured, measured, marked, and released as part of this
monitoring project. This project requires a full day in the field, and the
abilities to hike in steep, slippery terrain, work in extreme cold weather, and
haul heavy equipment.
Other Resources
Watch the Flying Squirrel Glide!
ECOS Five Year Review
North Carolina Resources Commission
Northern Flying Squirrel Recovery Plan
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Sources Used
ECOS Environmental Conservation Online SystemECOS Five Year Review
North Carolina Resources Commission
Northern Flying Squirrel Recovery Plan
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Nice blog! I like that you added links so the readers can click to get involved quickly. Its sad that these flying squirrels are endangered party because of habitation loss. It's such an easy effect that could have been stopped before it hurt the species.
ReplyDelete-Gina Harris
These animals are so cute! I liked how you included a link for people to immediately get involved in the recovery process along with a very clear explanation about the volunteer work someone would do to help out. This was a very easy to read, well-organized blog
ReplyDelete-Emily Holloway
I thought the pictures were very cute and I really liked that you put in a link that people can visit to help volunteer to check the squirrel boxes. I also thought that the picture of the current range was a nice touch to your blog.
ReplyDelete-Julia Galvan
I liked your description of the squirrel's "wings" at the beginning, it was easy to understand and interesting. I like your description of how to help and learning bout their habitat was interesting. -Erin Ichimura
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that people can personally help the flying squirrels. The direct link makes it super helpful and clear. Your description of the physical characteristics was great!
ReplyDelete-Cierra Heiland
These animals are so cool! I had no clue they were endangered but this helped me be more aware of what I may be able to do to help.
ReplyDelete-Dean Harris
It's saddening to hear how drastically the population for the flying squirrels has been decreased. Its also crazy to hear that there were only 33 flying squirrels left in 1985. -Benjamin Holland
ReplyDeleteMust be a struggle for their genetic diversity if their numbers were down to 33 in 1985, but hopefully they recover because one day I'd love to see a squirrel descend from a tree and gracefully glide from branch to branch.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the overall structure of your article and also your choice of animal. I always have found the flying squirrels interesting and it is sad to see that there habitat destruction is contributing to their demise.
ReplyDelete-Steel Humphry