Ardilla voladora sureña

activity

Activity patterns. The Southern Flying Squirrel is exclusively nocturnal. It shows a resting metabolic rate 33 - 38 % lower than predicted by its body mass; however, less than 20 % of this reduction is compensated for by thermoregulatory advantages gained from communal nesting. The Southern Flying Squirrel relies on non-shivering thermogenesis, which is negatively correlated with ambient temperatures and peaks in winter. Higher energetic costs, coupled with reduced food supply, probably influence northern limits of the distribution.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Oak-hickory (Quercus, Fagaceae, and Carya, Juglandaceae) forests producing hard mast. In the northern part ofits distribution, the Southern Flying Squirrel occurs in mixed deciduous-conifer forests. In the southern Appalachian Mountains, it occurs at elevations as high as 1500 m. From Mexico southward, it usually inhabits oak-conifer associations in mountains at elevations of 1200 - 3000 m. It is also common in coastal pine (Pinus, Pinaceae) and oak associations in the eastern and south-eastern USA. It prefers areas with high densities of shrubs, reduced understory cover, and more tree cavities.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Tree cavities are preferred for nesting, and two or more nests are usually maintained simultaneously, although one normally serves as the primary nest. Nest aggregations as high as dozens of individuals occur primarily in northern regions for thermoregulatory benefits. Such nest aggregations often consist of close relatives, which may reduce costs of intraspecific competition among nest mates. The Southern Flying Squirrel also competes with tree squirrels for nest structures, and where the two Glaucomys species are sympatric, it may exclude the Northern Flying Squirrel (G. sabrinus) from tree cavities. The Southern Flying Squirrel may live as long as ten years in captivity. Densities are 2 - 12 ind / ha. Two studies listed mean home ranges of 2 - 4 ha and 7 - 8 ha for adult males and 1 - 9 ha and 3 - 8 ha for adult females. One study noted a mean home range of 0 - 61 ha forjuveniles. At least two studies reported on homing abilities of Southern Flying Squirrels, noting homing distances of 1 - 1 - 6 km. The Southern Flying Squirrel will frequently move through tree canopies by means of gliding. Glides of up to 90 m are possible.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Although two breeding seasons of the Southern Flying Squirrel are reported, the same females probably do not regularly breed during both seasons. Parturition occurs in spring (April-May) and late summer (August-September), gestation is c. 40 days, and young are hairless and weigh 3 - 5 g at birth. Litters have 2 - 7 young but usually average c. 4 young. Young may stay with their mothers beyond the normal eight weeks if conditions warrant.

Sciuridae