Tree buds contributed the least in spring, and beechnuts contributed the least in fall. Relative contribution to the diet of Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus during spring and fall 2014–2015 in the Monongahela National Forest of West Virginia, United States. Epigeous fungi were most available in conifer habitat, and are more available in conifer, mixed conifer-hardwood, and hardwood habitats than in red spruce habitat, suggesting epigeous fungi may be available to dispersing G. s. fuscus. We placed 5 traps every 5 m along a randomly selected field tape and covered the cups with plastic plates to provide cover and protection from rain and with space between the ground and plate to allow invertebrates to walk underneath. Although tree buds and beechnuts do not provide the greatest proportional contribution to the assimilated δ15N and δ13C of G. s. fuscus, their consumption may provide alternative minerals or vitamins essential to their diet. . 1004115 (EAF). Luoma, D. L. Also, the northern flying squirrel has a gray belly fur. However, Selva (1994) found a strong connection between lichen abundance and forest age, with higher lichen availability in more mature forests. , Kenagy Sample size (n) and mean isotopic signature (± SD) for δ13C and δ15N for each collected diet item for Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus in August 2014 and August 2015 in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, United States. 1999), potentially providing forage for dispersing individuals. The average standard uncertainty for both δ13C and δ15N was 0.1 during analysis. A flying squirrel’s diet can include nuts, fruits, buds, and insects, but a large portion also comes from mushrooms. Krishnan In the central Appalachians in West Virginia, broad-scale disturbance and other anthropogenic factors reduced red spruce (Picea rubens) to < 10% of its historic range within the last century (Stephenson 1993). Nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, mealworms, lichens, fungi, and other treats are routinely eaten by Northern flying squirrels. Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is a Special Concern species in Wisconsin and a Protected Wild Animal under NR 10.02 Wis. Admin. We examined the diet of flying squirrels using stable isotope analysis and used vegetation surveys to determine the availability of diet items in the habitats encountered by G. s. fuscus in the matrix surrounding red spruce fragments. 2011). Our findings corroborate a similar study on the diet of G. s. griseifrons (Flaherty et al. Collins M. P. J. W. , Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae When parted, the white hairs of the belly show gray bases, the fur on the upper parts of the body has a reddish brown cast, and the undersurface of the tail is buffy white to tan. , The Northern flying squirrel is of the Sciuridae family and is the smallest arboreal (tree-living) squirrel in Oregon. Southern flying squirrel the belly coat is all white. A similar study on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, suggested that whereas invertebrate fragments were found in the fecal pellets of the Prince of Wales northern flying squirrel (G. s. griseifrons), a majority of them were small wings, which may be a result of incidental consumption while foraging for hypogeous and epigeous fungi (Flaherty et al. M. The entire small intestine is coiled around like a hose and the surface is full of many ridges and folds, maximizing the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. G. s. fuscus may assimilate lichen more in the fall, which would account for the decrease in fecal pellet observations but increased tissue assimilation. Future research should focus on additional potential limiting factors, such as the behavioral exclusion of G. s. fuscus by G. volans in the habitat surrounding red spruce (Weigl 1978) and impacts of climate change on forest configuration and patch extent of red spruce (White and Cogbill 1992). As are hard boiled eggs. Such a diet is extremely unusual for a mammal and may explain the squirrel's unusual tooth structure. , , The purpose of this sphincter is to close off the end of the esophagus. Wilson The patchy distribution and potential ongoing decline of high-elevation red spruce forest may threaten the long-term viability of spruce-adapted species with limited dispersal capabilities, such as the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus). W. P. (2001) found a high proportion of fecal pellets from G. s. fuscus in the MNF with tree buds present, which may have suggested a high contribution of tree buds to the assimilated diet of G. s. fuscus. Villa, L. J. Southern flying squirrels are 8 to 10 inches and weigh between 4-6oz. Furthermore, a greater understanding of dispersal behavior of G. s. fuscus may provide further insights regarding the energetic requirements of dispersing juveniles and whether dispersing juveniles forage for specific foods, or rely on energy stores while moving through the landscape (Zollner and Lima 2005). Faul, F., E. From the pitfall traps, we collected 275 specimens distributed among 11 taxa of invertebrates. Stamps, J. 2014), such as when adding beechnuts to the diet, we increased the δ13C to 5.7‰ for the spring diets based on a similar increase for hair samples when switching laboratory rats from a wheat diet to a wheat-fish diet (Kurle et al. 2010). Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 4112 E. SR 225, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA (SET). Smith In 2015, we collected 3 hair samples from hair snares near Davis, West Virginia, and 3 were collected using hair snares in the Greenbriar Ranger District. We calculated the importance value, the dominance of a tree species at a site (Cottam and Curtis 1956; Loeb et al. 59571; Forestry Suppliers). They will feed on nuts, fruits, eggs, and fungi. F. H. Our field site was in the northern half of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) and Blackwater State Park located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, United States. D. K. Hayward We used point-center quadrat plots with a diameter of 20 m. We placed 2 50-m field tapes (OTR50M; Keson, Aurora, Illinois) in the 4 cardinal directions (Flaherty et al. Diet and Nutrition. Flying squirrels are omnivores. We used plastic zip ties and wire to disable the locking mechanism that would normally have prevented captured individuals from escaping the trap. Therefore it eats nuts, seeds, berries, insects, tree buds and sometimes eggs or nestlings. (2000) found no association between downed woody debris and the presence of hypogeous fungi truffles in the southern Appalachians, suggesting that downed wood may not be an indicator of truffle availability for G. s. fuscus and stand age may be a more reliable indicator. , We froze the coin envelopes and stored the microcapillary tubes at room temperature until mailing the samples to the Wildlife Physiology Lab in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University for identification and processing. Fecal samples reflect food items consumed during the last meal, whereas hair samples represent the overall assimilated diet since last molt (Dalerum and Angerbjörn 2005), which for northern flying squirrels was likely in spring (Villa et al. This means it is not yet threatened or endangered, but they are still protected and monitored. 1999) and results from the fecal analysis in a previous study (Mitchell et al. , . . , To estimate the detection probability of invertebrates among habitat types, we used a proportion z-test (Zar 2010:549). We identified invertebrates to class using Borror and White (1998). K. E. The female gives birth to two to five young after a gestation period of about 40 days. It inhabits a number of natural communities in the northern portion of Wisconsin, and the presence of conifers and a relatively moist environment are important habitat components. The West Virginia northern flying squirrel has a more sophisticated palate than your average squirrel, preferring truffles (shown) and lichen to nuts and seeds. These differences likely occurred because of variations in precipitation between years (121 cm in 2014, 132 cm in 2015—NOAA 2016), as well as small sample sizes (Ben-David and Flaherty 2012). Other important foods are acorns, beechnuts, and conifer seeds. Trappe (1991). Because beechnuts were not available in spring, and tree buds were consumed in spring and rarely in fall, we analyzed the 2 seasons separately. It may also eat fruits, buds, sap, bird eggs, small nestling birds and insects. Wildlife Society Bulletin, Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; reinstatement of removal of the Virginia northern flying squirrel from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife, The population-dynamic functions of seed dispersal, Maturation and reproduction of northern flying squirrels in Pacific Northwest forests, USDA Forest Service General Technical Report, Pacific Northwest Research Station. Overall, invertebrate abundance did not differ among habitat types (F3,56 = 0.62, P = 0.61; Table 1). Most active during evening hours, the northern flying squirrel may emerge briefly during the day. Mid-story trees included young American beech and rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), and dominant forest-floor species included ferns, blueberries (Vaccinum erythrocarpum), and blackberries (Rubus spp.). Wolf There was no difference in red spruce importance values between conifer and mixed conifer habitat (z < 0.001, P < 0.50). E. J. M. L. G. P. The availability of epigeous fungi did not differ between hardwood habitat and mixed conifer-hardwood habitat (z = 0.26, P = 0.39) or spruce habitat (z = 0.51, P = 0.30); nor did epigeous fungi availability differ between mixed conifer-hardwood and spruce habitat (z = 0.24, P = 0.41; Table 1). To account for differences in diet-item availability within habitat types, we surveyed 4 previously delineated habitat types: red spruce, conifer, hardwood, and mixed conifer-hardwood. Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are the only two native flying squirrel species found in North America. Northern flying squirrels mate in late winter, whereas southern flying squirrels mate in early spring. . Trapp, S. E., and E. A. Flaherty other than spruce. 2014). Pitfall traps remained in the ground for 4 days and contents were then stored frozen to preserve the specimens for later identification. , These flying squirrels aren’t actually capable of powered flight like a bird or a bat. Schuler, T. M. B. R. Millar http://davesherva.com/minnesotas-mystery-squirrel/ How do you attract northern flying squirrels? Truffles and lichen are both low in nitrogen relative to foods with greater amounts of protein, and the nitrogen found in truffles may be indigestible by small mammals, including flying squirrels (Cork and Kenagy 1989; Dubay et al. V. V. . While northern flying squirrels are 10 to 12 inches. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. . Epigeous fungi were 1.27 times more available in conifer habitat than in mixed conifer-hardwood habitat (z = 1.68, P = 0.04), and 1.17 times more available than in spruce habitat (z = 1.98, P = 0.02). 1994; Luoma et al. To estimate availability of red spruce and American beech at each plot, we measured the distance to the nearest tree in each quadrat from the center of the plot, identified each tree to species, estimated height using a digital hypsometer (Nikon Forestry PRO Laser Rangefinder/Hypsometer; Nikon Vision Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), and measured diameter at breast height (DBH) using a DBH tape (No. . Smith The hardwood habitat had no red spruce present, and therefore had an importance value of 0.00 (Table 1). Before reusing brushes, we used an open flame on the bristles to remove any residual hair. The small intestine performs most of the digestion process, as around 90% of all possible nutrients have been extracted from the food by the time that it leaves the small intestine. However, Loeb et al. The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) has been described as a red spruce obligate subspecies that must traverse this fragmented landscape to disperse among remnant red spruce patches. Mixed conifer-hardwood and hardwood habitats had similar American beech importance values (z = −0.58, P = 0.28). . Unlike other species of tree squirrels, food-hoarding behavior has not been documented in northern flying squirrels. We collected brushes and tape from closed traps for processing and set the traps with new brushes and tape. Based on molting patterns of northern flying squirrels (with one primary molt generally beginning in May—Villa et al. The small intestine is a long, thin tube that is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract and is also a major organ of the digestive system. 1998). , M. of the esophagus is a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter, a.k.a. However, G. s. fuscus may encounter high levels of competition for beechnuts from hard-mast specialists, such as G. volans and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and beechnuts are only available during a limited time period. Loeb, S. C. We used the dual-isotope linear mixing model SISUS (Stable Isotope Sourcing Using Sampling—Erhardt et al. Precipitation ranges from 120 to 150 cm annually, most of which comes from snowfall (Stephenson 1993), and average temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. , We surveyed a total of 60 stratified random plots, 15 in each of the 4 habitat types, and conducted the full suite of vegetation, pitfall trap, and truffle surveys (described below) at each site. They are both gray-brown, but the northern flying squirrel has belly fur that is gray at the base, and for the southern flying squirrel the belly fur is all white. Supplementary data are available at Journal of Mammalogy online. The isotopic signature for G. s. fuscus differed among locations (F10,64= 4.445, P < 0.001; Table 3) and years (F2,37= 4.904, P = 0.013), but did not differ among seasons (F2,37= 0.526, P = 0.595). The Northern flying squirrel is granivore and mycophage, it generally feed upon nuts, acorns, fungi and lichens. J. E. To estimate invertebrate abundance, we buried 473-ml cups flush with the ground as pitfall traps. C. Like most squirrels, these like to munch on nuts and seeds found in the forest, but these squirrels will also snack on mosses, fungi, and lichens which make up a large portion of their diet. F. J. The vegetation surveys revealed that no habitat type had a greater availability of the diet items that contributed most to the assimilated diet of G. s. fuscus, suggesting that stand age and structure may be more important for diet-item availability than habitat type. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. S. 2. They help . Furthermore, lichen abundance in New England was strongly influenced by forest structure, with a higher diversity and availability in stands with increasing stand age and complexity (Selva 1994). R. P. Therefore, stable isotope analysis alone would not be able to reveal the potential importance of tree buds and beechnuts to the diet of G. s. fuscus. Mitchell et al. Tainter . We processed samples for stable isotope analysis in the Wildlife Physiology Lab at Purdue University. We did not encounter any fallen arboreal lichen during the % occurrence surveys or any hypogeous fungi truffles in our truffle plots. Foraging at night does not slow their productivity, and these rodents use their large eyes and keen sense of smell to find food. Pyare, S. The difference between conifer and hardwood habitats had a marginal P-value, suggesting a possible difference in epigeous fungi availability (z = 1.44, P = 0.07). For availability of epigeous fungi and red spruce and American beech importance values, we used a Kruskal–Wallis test to evaluate differences among habitat types (Zar 2010). Southern flying squirrels are considered to be one of the most carnivorous squirrels because they supplement their diet with eggs, birds, and carrion. R. J. Witt We thank B. During sever… The consumption of tree buds in the spring and beechnuts in the fall suggests that these items supplement the diet of G. s. fuscus. 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