FLYING SQUIRRELS
by Tom Slattery

Is it legal to own a Flying Squirrel?

The legality of owning a Flying Squirrel depends on where you live. You must check with your Fish & Wildlife Dept.

Cost

How much can I expect to pay for a Flying Squirrel?

They usually cost around $75 or $80. But if you can't find one locally, you will have to pay shipping which can raise the price to almost $200 in some cases.

Maintenance

Are they hard to keep?

No. Keeping a flying Squirrel requires about the same amount of care as any other rodent.

Size

Are they as big as regular squirrels?

No. Flying squirrels are not true members of the squirrel family. They are about 8 inches long, about half of that in a flat tail shaped much like that of a beaver. They use their tail for steering when gliding. It looks much like a squirrel's tail when they are up and active, because they curl it like a squirrel.

Flying

Can they really fly?

No. They do not fly, they glide. They can travel about 3 feet horizontally for every 1 foot they fall when gliding. Pet flying squirrels are not very good at it unless you teach them to by tossing them gently into a towel. Some like it, others don't. It will be obvious whether they do or don't if you try this.

Noise

How noisy are Flying Squirrels?

They are a nocturnal animal and they can be quite noisy at night. You get used to it quickly and it won't bother you. Trust me, I am a light sleeper. They run around, chirp, whistle, grind their teeth, gnaw on nuts, and just about anything else they can do. Of course, if they are not kept in your bedroom, this is no problem.

Diet

What do they eat?

Their diet should be a base of parrot food (the seed, nut, and fruit kind not the blocks) and supplemented with a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. They will also take insects, spiders, and "pinky" mice. A nut-based diet is too high in fat and not nutritious enough; the mainly seed parrot food and lots of other fruits and veggies is much healthier. ALSO, it is VERY important to give them some sort of calcium supplement, be it a cuttlebone, a vitamin powder or liquid, or just added high calcium foods. They have very light fragile bones for gliding and without added calcium they will develop calcium deficiencies which can kill them. That's one reason they live but a few years in the wild and can live 10-15 in captivity if given adequate calcium.

Treats

What is their favorite food?

Pecans. They love them and will climb up on your hand and eat them. They are great for getting them to like you when you first get them and as a treat, but should NOT be given freely. If they are, the squirrel will eat only pecans and suffer nutritional deficiencies.

Housing

How big of a cage is required?

No smaller than a 10 gallon cage. Bird cages are also good, for they enjoy running around on the bars. Glass cages should have wire screen lids for them to run around on. Large "squirrel wheels" are also a nice addition to a squirrel's cage.

Bedding

What type of substrate should be used?

Pine shavings, corn cob litter, newspaper (WITHOUT colored ink), or crumpled paper towels all work fine. Cedar shavings should not be used. It can cause respiratory problems.

Cage Furnishings

What should I put in the cage?

A salt wheel, nesting material and some sort of nest box, food, water, and live tree branches. They de-bark the branches and eat the sap.

Breeding

What should I know about breeding Flying Squirrels?

Flying Squirrels reach sexual maturity when they are about one year old. The gestation period for a pregnant female is normally 40 days. A normal litter will have between two and four babies, this number can range up to around seven under extremely good environmental conditions.