Northern Flying Squirrel

Northern Flying Squirrel key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

Usually under 4 years wild; about 13 on average in captivity

Size

27.5–34.2cm long; 75–140g

Diet

Omnivore: nuts, acorns, fungi and lichens, plus fruit and insects

Cage

It travels by gliding between trees. Provide a tall, deep cage with high nest boxes and branches, and make the room safe before letting it out.

Diet

Unlike most squirrels, fungi and lichens are a major part of its diet alongside nuts and acorns; it also takes fruit, buds, sap, insects and eggs.

Temperament

Strictly nocturnal, active after sunset and before dawn. Up to eight may share a nest, and same-sex groups huddle for warmth in winter.

Temperature

A species of cold northern conifer forest with little data on heat tolerance; air-condition the room through a Japanese summer.

Regulations

As a squirrel it needs a species-name certificate on import, and imports fall under the animal import notification system.

Notes

Larger than the southern flying squirrel (G. volans), with grey-based belly hairs; captives can live over 10 years. Never release captive animals into the wild.

About Northern Flying Squirrel

A guide to the Northern Flying Squirrel: traits, lifespan, size and care difficulty. Learn about this gray and cinnamon nocturnal glider, plus what to know before bringing one home and common questions.

7 things to know before welcoming a Northern Flying Squirrel

1. 1For experienced keepers

   Care difficulty is rated for experienced keepers. You need a habitat that reflects its nocturnal, gliding life in the wild, along with a good grasp of its diet. It is safest to consider this species after gaining experience with other small animals.

2. 2Strictly nocturnal

   It rests in its nest during the day and becomes active at night. Think ahead about whether your household can live with nighttime noise and activity. Keep in mind that chances to watch or interact with it in daytime are limited.

3. 3Space for gliding

   Plan the cage with height in mind, not just floor area, and give it a three-dimensional layout for climbing, jumping and gliding. Design it so escapes and falls are unlikely. If you let it out in a room, check carefully for collision and escape risks first.

4. 4Watch out for heat

   Because it comes from the coniferous forests of northern North America, hot Japanese summers may be hard on it. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight and use air conditioning to keep the room temperature stable. If it seems unwell, consult a veterinarian early.

5. 5Ask about the diet

   In the wild it eats many mushrooms and lichens, but reproducing that diet at home can be difficult. Ask the breeder what it is currently fed before you bring it home, and avoid switching foods abruptly. Nutritional imbalance can affect health, so aim for a balanced diet.

6. 6Temperament and handling

   In the wild it is a small animal that other predators hunt, so some individuals startle easily at loud noises or sudden movements. How quickly they settle in varies from animal to animal. Avoid forcing contact, and build trust gradually by interacting quietly during its active hours at night.

7. 7Prepare before arrival

   Set up the cage, a nest box to hide in and climbing branches beforehand so it has a calm place to settle. Finding a veterinary clinic that treats exotic animals ahead of time helps if something goes wrong. It is also a good idea to ask the breeder directly about its rearing environment and diet.

Frequently asked questions about Northern Flying Squirrel

Q.Can a beginner keep one?

A.Its care difficulty is rated for experienced keepers. There is a lot to manage, including its nocturnal habits, diet and sensitivity to heat, so it helps to gain experience with other small animals first. Talk to the breeder before bringing one home.

Q.How long does it live?

A.In the wild it usually lives less than 4 years, while the average in captivity is 13 years. Since you will be caring for it for a long time, consider whether you can keep up that commitment.

Q.How big does it get?

A.Adults are about 27.5 to 34.2 cm in total length and weigh 75 to 140 g. It is small, but it still needs a tall enclosure where it can climb and glide.

Q.What does it eat?

A.In the wild it eats many mushrooms and lichens. Diets in captivity vary with the animal and its setup, so ask the breeder what it is currently fed before you bring it home.

Q.Does it fly, and is it active by day?

A.It does not flap and fly like a bird. It spreads its gliding membrane and glides. It is strictly nocturnal, so it is mostly active at night.

Useful tools for Northern Flying Squirrel care

Learn more about Northern Flying Squirrel in the encyclopedia

More in this category