Do you have and flying squirrels in your yard? No, you say? Well, you very well might and not know it.
A few years ago, I looked out our bedroom window and saw a strange little creature with huge black eyes. It looked like something from outer space. Upon closer observation, it was a flying squirrel. I saw the little fellow the next day peering from a tree cavity, but never again.
In actuality, seeing a flying squirrel anytime is a rarity.
That’s because they are largely nocturnal. They come out when everyone else is asleep. Southern flying squirrels are fairly common in Virginia, though they tend to be found in hardwood forests and at higher elevations. They are small creatures about 8 to 10-inches in length. They are grayish brown with white bellies and large black eyes which give them great visibility at night.
On occasion, a colony of flying squirrels will find their way into a home’s attic as they seek shelter from the cold. Strange shuffling noises from above is a sign they may have moved in.
Flying squirrels, of course, do not fly, they sail. They use the soft skin beneath their arms to act as wings, and they are able to glide 100 feet or more.
They are interesting creatures and nice to have around – unless they come uninvited into your attic.
