It’s Rocky sans Bullwinkle

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

Because they’re not commonly seen due to their lack of activity in the daylight, flying squirrels might seem like some sort of fictional anomaly. They do exist, however, and do live in the Catskills. So, if you are ever stuck for a topic of conversational, bring up this silly critter. Speaking from experience: anybody who has encountered one always has an entertaining story.

Unlike their more common, ground-dwelling cousins, flying squirrels have a distinctive look, large, round eyes that give them better night vision, and a velvety fur coat, usually in shades of brown and gray. However, Their most defining feature is the “patagium,” a membrane of skin stretching from their wrists to their ankles, allowing them to glide from tree to tree like furry little acrobats. Though they don’t fly, their name comes from their ability to glide distances of up to 150 feet in a single leap, giving the appearance that the critter is truly soaring the skies.

Flying squirrels are the forest’s foodies. They feed on various edibles, including nuts, seeds, berries, fungi and insects. They store food in tree cavities, giving them a stash of meals for the winter months.

The forests here are the perfect home for these gliders. Flying squirrels prefer dense forests with tall trees and large canopies, where they can easily glide from one branch to another. They typically nest in tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, lining their homes with soft materials like moss, feathers, and shredded bark to stay warm, especially during the upcoming winter season.

While agile and quick, flying squirrels, like most little critters, have their share of natural predators. Let’s just say they are not buddies with owls, hawks, raccoons and snakes. However, their ability to glide through the treetops makes them hard to catch, and their nocturnal lifestyle helps them avoid many daytime predators.

Flying squirrels in the Catskills breed twice yearly, usually in the spring and late summer. The female can give birth to two to six tiny, hairless squirrel babies. Within a few weeks after birth, the young develop their fur and begin learning how to glide, practicing their aerial acrobatics under the watchful eyes of their parents, and within just a couple of months, they are ready to take over the treetops!