How Big Are Humboldts Flying Squirrels?
If you have ever wondered how big a Humbolts flying squirrel is, you are not alone. The species is the third in North America. Researchers used genetic testing to discover it. Their name means “small flying squirrel” and they are nocturnal and gliders. Males are social, while females are less so. Learn more about this fascinating creature. Here’s a list of facts about the Humbolts flying squirrel.
Table of Contents
Small
The small humbolts flying squirrel is one of the world’s most elusive wildlife. These flying mammals are nocturnal, spending most of their waking hours foraging for food. They feed on a variety of plant materials, including tree sap, fungi, insects, and bird eggs and nestlings. This elusive creature is difficult to study and has been deemed vulnerable to hunting.
Nocturnal
The Nocturnal Humbolts flying squirrel is an endangered species in California. These squirrels exhibit unusual locomotion and glow pink when exposed to ultraviolet light. Researchers have only recently discovered that this species also communicates using ultrasonic vocalizations that are not audible to humans. Because of this, it is thought that predators are unable to hear them. However, the exact mechanism behind their communication remains unclear.
Gliding
When we talk about flying squirrels, we tend to think of the Red and White Giant flying squirrel, which is roughly twenty-three inches long including the tail and weighs around ten pounds. Another species, the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel, grows to about seven inches in length, including the tail, and weighs about five ounces. Flying squirrels glide from tree to tree on their patagium membrane, which spreads out on both sides of the body and resembles a square when they are moving.
Females less social
There are many unknown habits and characteristics of female Humboldt’s Flying Squirrels. The female lines her cavity with soft material called duff. The female provides all the care for her young, including breeding and lactation. However, it is unclear why females are less social than males. Several factors may be involved, including a lack of food sources and a lack of female companionship.
Adaptability to human habitats
The cryptic Humboldts Flying Squirrel is often confused with the Northern Flying Squirrel. Though both species are closely related, they are distinct enough to be distinguished by identifying their distinctive characteristics. This study is a step toward identifying the species in order to ensure its continued survival and conservation. Read on to learn more about this unique species.
Ecology
The recent publication, Ecology of the Humboldts Flying Squirrel, presents the first detailed assessment of this unique and charismatic mammal. In a recent article, Arbogast and her colleagues describe their study methods and discuss the potential conservation and management implications. In their study, they capture the Humboldts flying squirrel at 16 sites across Oregon. To assess whether this subspecies is at risk of extinction, they use Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICC) and adjust for sample size and number of parameters.
Habitat
The Humboldts flying squirrel is a forest-obligate species that nests in trees, logs and ground cavities. A study by Barbara Clucas and undergraduate students documented the location of this squirrel with baited camera traps. This species prefers forests with a high percentage of conifers. However, it does also frequent areas with abundant white spruce and aspen groves.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.