Night Flyers: The secret life of Missouri's flying squirrels

ST. LOUIS -- Did you know that flying squirrels can be found throughout the states of Missouri and Illinois? They like to glide through the air at night in the woods. So, watch out the next time you go for an evening hike.

“If you venture out near the woods after dark, you might hear the high-pitched cry of a flying squirrel,” states AJ Hendershott, MDC Regional Education Supervisor and program instructor. “Flying squirrels can be common near extensive woods, where they are active only at night.”

Despite their name, these rodents don't truly fly but use loose skin to soar up to 50 feet between tree trunks. Measuring just a few inches long, flying squirrels sport soft, silky gray fur and large, dark eyes.

Flying squirrels make their homes not just in tree cavities but also in buildings, abandoned bird nests, and old squirrel nests. They often gather in communal nests during winter, potentially sharing these spaces year-round because they do not hibernate. Instead, they may conserve energy by sleeping for several consecutive days during the coldest months, emerging when conditions improve.

They eat nuts, fruits, berries, tree buds, bark, and mushrooms. Uniquely among squirrels, they also consume insects like moths and beetles. By feeding on tree buds and wood-burrowing insects, they stimulate tree growth and help control potentially damaging insect populations.

For wildlife enthusiasts, these shy creatures have become welcome visitors. Many Missouri residents now install special suet feeders and modified birdhouses to attract and support these remarkable gliding mammals.

Flying squirrels face many predators, including bobcats, raccoons, weasels, owls, hawks, and tree-climbing snakes. Their nocturnal lifestyle helps them avoid many daytime predators, occupying the same forest territories as gray and fox squirrels during nighttime hours.