Article by Sharon Hanzik, PWLCTMN
If you’ve ever camped at Caddo Lake State Park you may, like me, have had trouble falling asleep due to the myriad of sounds emanating from a variety of nocturnal species. However, on this particular trip I was thoroughly exhausted from a long day of paddling. Sleep was not an issue, until high-pitched twittering and whistles woke me in the dead of night.
I’ve heard the call described as “tseets tseets”. This is an accurate description. I had never heard this noise before and was not quite sure what was creating it. It was coming from a limb directly above the tent. I assumed it was only an insect. With that assumption I became dismayed at the prospect of being kept awake the rest of the night. Intrigued, I shined my flashlight up into the tall, tall tree and soon found the eyeshine of something looking back at me. Something very small. Presumably upset and alarmed by the spotlight shining directly at it, the little creature became quiet and still.
I was quite pleased to discover that the calls belonged to a Southern Flying Squirrel. I knew of their existence but have never been fortunate enough to see or hear them. Hoping that the bright light would send this little guy off to another campsite to bother someone else, I went back to bed, as all was quiet. But nooooooo, assuming that the danger had passed, this little rodent decided to start up again. I shined the light again. Quiet. I went back to bed. More whistles and chirps.
Now I know that wildlife has the right-of-way. However, I needed sleep! I had another busy day planned. How could I get rid of this vocal volans (scientific name) safely and humanely? I realized that shining a blinding, white light in its large eyes was working against me. Flying blind was not an option so it had to stay put.
Careful not to hit it, I started tossing pine cones and sticks up into the air to hopefully startle it into relocating. Three, four, five tossed and nothing, except me dodging what must come down. I kept it up a little while longer and was met with success. It crawled off into the darkness and either decided that no noise was best or it glided off in another direction. Either way, peace returned and I was able to get more sleep.
The Southern Flying Squirrel, one of only two flying squirrel species in North America, (can you guess the other’s name?) is native to mature forests of the eastern half of the US. So why isn’t it called the Eastern Flying Squirrel? Your guess is as good as mine! The Northern Flying Squirrel is native to only a few states in the northeastern and northwestern US, Canada and Alaska. Its name makes more sense. It is not native to Texas. The Southern species is found here but only in the eastern half of Texas, mostly east of the 1-35 corridor. As long as there is an abundant food source, it has been heard and seen in residential areas with tall, old growth trees.
The name flying squirrel is misleading, however, as it has no wings, only skin flaps that catch the air and help it glide from tree to tree, never needing to touch the ground. When thinking about flying squirrels I am often reminded of the popular pet found in the wilds of Australia, the Sugar Glider. Perhaps a name change would make more sense? The name Southern Gliding Squirrel is easy enough to say.
“What large eyes you have!” The better to see in the dark my dear. This leads me to the explanation of this rodent’s scientific name, Glaucomys volans. Glaucomys – gray or bluish gray refers to its fur and also its eyes; volans – flying, is obvious. When it comes to “flying” the flat tail plays an important role as a rudder aiding in steering and braking. When coming in for the landing the squirrel tilts upward using its expanded skin flaps and tail to catch more air and slow down. They have been observed gliding an average distance of 6.5 to 9.5 yards and an occasional astounding distance of 32 yards. Its high-pitched calls are only one form of communication. These squirrels also emit ultrasonic vocalizations to communicate with each other. Unlike bats, they do not need to rely on it for navigation.
Other than the ability to glide, the use of ultrasonic communication and its nocturnal habits, the flying squirrel is very similar to its diurnal relatives. It is the smallest squirrel weighing a mere 4 ounces on average and reaching only 8 -10 inches in length, head to tail. They feed on nuts, acorns and small fruit. One other difference with its relatives is that it is omnivorous, eating insect larvae, beetles, eggs, young birds and small rodents. They breed twice per year in February/March and July. Only the female rears the young which can feed themselves at 6 weeks and are considered mature at 1 year. She gives birth to 2-3 young each time. They live an average of 2 – 4 years. Predators include owls, bobcats, foxes, and snakes and anything that can reach them in their towering tree-lined habitat. They have been known to congregate in groups as large as 50, usually during the winter months as a way to keep warm.
It is not likely that one will be able to spot one of these secretive mammals. I do suggest that you listen to sound recordings as that will be the easiest way to identify them in the darkness. Also, if you are lucky enough to hear one, I suggest using a red or green light to search them out as it will not interrupt their night vision or yours. I hope that if you do hear one, it will not interrupt your much-needed sleep.
Sources
The Mammals of Texas, Seventh Edition – Schmidly and Bradley
Wildlife Response Inc. website
This article was published in the Buzz Newletter 1-22-24