Most people love spending time outdoors in their backyard. But what’s the point if there’s no one to share it with? This is where attracting flying squirrels can come in handy. Not only are they adorable creatures, but they’re also great for keeping pests away.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about attracting flying squirrels to your backyard, including what food and shelter to provide them.
Natural History of the Flying Squirrel
The flying squirrel is a small, nocturnal mammal that lives in woods across North America. These animals can glide from tree to tree using their “patagia” (flaps of skin between the legs and body).
Although they are able to fly, they cannot take off from the ground like birds or bats. Instead, they must climb to a high point and then leap into the air, using their gliding membranes to “fly” through the air.
There are two types of flying squirrels: the northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel.
They range in size from about 15 to 20 cm long, not including their tail. They have furry bodies and large eyes which help them see at night. Their long, flat tail helps them steer when they glide.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal animals. This means that they are most active at night. During the day, they sleep in tree cavities or nests that they build out of leaves and twigs. At night, they leave their nests to look for food.
These animals are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes fruits, nuts, seeds, insects, and even small birds or mammals. In the wintertime, when food is scarce, flying squirrels have been known to eat tree bark. [2]
Where Flying Squirrels Live
These animals are found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They live in different areas depending on the species. In North America, they can be found from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Mexico.
Flying squirrels can be found in a variety of habitats. They live in forests, woodlands, and even urban areas. They prefer habitats with a mix of hardwood and softwood trees.
Flying squirrels live in tree cavities or nests that they make out of leaves, twigs, and moss. In urban areas, they often nest in attics or wall voids in houses. [1]
How to Identify Flying Squirrels
The first step to attracting these little guys to your backyard is being able to identify them. There are two types of flying squirrels, the Northern and Southern. They can be told apart by their size and fur color.
The Northern flying squirrel is bigger, measuring around 16 inches long from nose to tail. They also have darker fur, typically brown or gray.
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to start looking for flying squirrels in your area. The best time to do this is at night, since these creatures are active at night. Once you’ve spotted one, you can begin setting up your backyard to be as inviting as possible. [1]
Steps to Attract Flying Squirrels
Look for Signs
The first step is to check for flying squirrels in your area. These creatures are active at night, so you may not see them during the day. Look for small holes or tears in screens on your windows or doors.
You might also find chewing damage on woodwork, eaves, or insulation in your attic. If you hear noises in your attic or walls at night, it’s a good sign that you have flying squirrels.
Another way to look for flying squirrels is to look for their droppings. Flying squirrel droppings are small and pellet-like, about the size of a pea. They are usually found near where the squirrels are nesting.
Using Food to Attract Them
If you want to attract flying squirrels to your backyard, you can do so by giving them food. Squirrels are attracted to a lot of different types of food, like nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects. You can either put the food on the ground or in a squirrel feeder. Just make sure to check on the feeder often and refill the food when it runs out.
Another way to attract flying squirrels with food is to make your own suet. It is a high-fat bird food that is often used to attract a variety of wildlife, including squirrels.
To make your own suet, mix together equal parts rendered fat, bird seed, and cornmeal. Once the mixture is combined, put it in a suet feeder and hang it from a tree or other structure in your backyard.[1]
Strategically Place Feeders
If you want to attract flying squirrels, you need to place feeders in strategic locations. The best place to put a feeder is near trees or other structures that the animals can use for cover.
Another important thing to think about is how to protect your feeder from the weather. Squirrels are very sensitive to changes in the weather, and they will not use a feeder if it is exposed to wind or rain.
Create Nest Boxes
You can attract flying squirrels to your yard by putting up a nest box. You can either buy one or make your own. If you make your own, make sure the dimensions are 12x12x18 inches.
The entrance hole should be two inches in diameter and placed four inches from the bottom of the box. Hang the nest box in a tree about 15 to 20 feet off the ground.
Provide Water Source
If you want to attract flying squirrels, you can provide them with a water source. A small birdbath or even a dish of water will do the trick! Just be sure to change the water regularly and keep it clean. You could even add a little bit of sugar to the water to make it extra sweet for them!
Another way to attract flying squirrels is by providing them with a food source. You can do this by putting out a dish of nuts or seeds, or even just some fruit. Just be sure to keep the food fresh and change it out regularly. [1]
Can a Flying Squirrel Really Fly?
Flying squirrels can glide long distances through the air using their special membrane. This ‘gliding skin’ extends from the wrist to the ankle on each side, and acts as a parachute when they jump or fall from high up.
Flying squirrels are very acrobatic. They can change direction in mid-air and steer with their tails. They can even make sharp turns and land on small branches.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal animals, which means you’re more likely to see them at night. However, they will also come out during the day if it’s cloudy outside. [3]
FAQ
What Is the Best Bait for Flying Squirrels?
There is no one answer to this question, as different flying squirrels will have different preferences. However, some of the most popular baits include peanuts, sunflower seeds, and acorns. You can also try putting out a dish of honey or syrup.
If you’re not sure what bait to use, you can always try a variety of different options and see what works best for the flying squirrels in your area.
What Does a Flying Squirrel Eat?
Flying squirrels are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. They mostly eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects. In the wild, they usually eat acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, and chestnuts.
They will also eat berries, fungi, greens, and sometimes even small birds or rodents. If you want flying squirrels to live in your backyard, you should try to give them food that is similar to what they would find in the wild.
One of the best ways to do this is by planting a variety of nut and fruit trees. Some good options include oak trees, hickory trees, beech trees, chestnut trees, and berry bushes. You can also supplement their diet with birdseed, squirrel food, and live insects.
If you live in an area where flying squirrels are common, you can put out a small dish of water for them to drink from. Just be sure to change the water regularly and clean the dish often to prevent the spread of disease.
How Do You Make Flying Squirrels Happy?
There are a few things you can do to make your backyard more appealing to flying squirrels.
- One is to provide plenty of food sources. Flying squirrels are mostly herbivorous, so they love nuts, seeds, and fruits.
You can attract them by planting trees and shrubs that produce these foods, or by putting out bird feeders that have a lot of different types of food. - You can make your backyard more attractive to flying squirrels by providing places for them to nest. In the wild, they often live in old trees with hollowed-out cavities. You can provide similar homes for them by putting up nesting boxes or hanging pouches.
- Finally, it’s important to provide plenty of water for flying squirrels. A simple birdbath will do the trick, or you can install a small water feature.
How Do You Find a Flying Squirrel?
To find a flying squirrel, you need to know where to look. These little creatures are active at night, so they will be most active during the evening. Look for them in trees near your home or in parks and gardens.
You might also see them running along power lines or darting across the street. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one in your own backyard!
If you want to get a closer look at a flying squirrel, you can use binoculars. However, if you see a flying squirrel during the day, it is probably because it is sick or injured. Healthy flying squirrels are very shy and usually do not come out during the daytime.
If you live in an area with flying squirrels, you can put out a squirrel feeder to attract them to your yard. Make sure to use a high-quality feeder and fill it with fresh, nutritious food. You might also want to offer water in a shallow dish.
What Time Do Flying Squirrels Come Out?
Flying squirrels are most active at night, so you’re more likely to see them after the sun goes down. If you want to attract flying squirrels to your backyard, try putting out some food for them to eat.
Nuts and seeds are good options, as well as fruit and insects. You can also provide shelter for flying squirrels by putting up a nesting box or building a small shelter for them to use.
Flying squirrels are nocturnal, so they are most active at night. If you want to see flying squirrels in your backyard, the best time to look is after the sun goes down.
What Time of Year Do Flying Squirrels Have Babies?
Flying squirrels usually have two litters of babies a year, with two to six young in each litter. The breeding season for northern flying squirrels usually happens between mid-April and mid-May, but this can vary depending on location and weather conditions. Southern flying squirrels breed between mid-September and early October.
The best time to attract flying squirrels to your backyard is during the breeding season. This is when they are looking for a place to build their nests and raise their young. If you can provide a suitable environment for them, they will be more likely to choose your backyard over another location.
Useful Video: Flying Squirrels – How to Find Them
Conclusion
If you want to attract flying squirrels to your backyard, there are a few things you can do.
The first is to make sure there is food for them. This could be anything from bird feeders to a stash of nuts or seeds hidden in the trees. Second, make sure they have a place to live. If you don’t have any trees, you can build a box shelter for your squirrels. You can also give them water by adding a small pool or dripping faucet to your backyard.
With these simple steps, you can bring these adorable creatures into your life and enjoy watching them play around in your backyard!
Thanks for reading! We hope this guide was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences with attracting flying squirrels, please leave a comment below.
References:
- https://www.owntheyard.com/how-to-attract-flying-squirrels/
- https://steemit.com/steempress/@folke/howtoattractflyingsquirrelstoyourbackyard-fszmoskcdt
- https://thehobbykraze.com/observational/nature-sustainability/how-to-attract-flying-squirrels/