Siberian Flying Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. Siberian Flying Squirrels are generally nocturnal, but activity peaks vary with the light / dark cycle. It might be active periodically, for up to nine hours; it can also be active during the day when daylength is long, despite lacking color vision found in diurnal sciurids.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Mature boreal closed-canopy forests and particularly dependent on primary trees. The Siberian Flying Squirrel is sensitive to logging and severe forest fragmentation. Various studies suggest, however, that maintenance of well-connected habitat patches that meetits requirements allow it to persist in a landscape managed for timber harvests. The Siberian Flying Squirrel prefers mixed continuous forests, with old conifers (e. g. Norway spruce, Picea abies, Pinaceae) and numerous deciduous trees such as European aspen (Populus tremula, Salicaceae); deciduous trees provide critical nest cavities. Preference for spruce over pine (Pinus, Pinaceae) is also reported. In Finland, it is dependent on mixed forests that are dominated by spruce. Probability of local extinction of the Siberian Flying Squirrel increases as spruce in its habitat declines. Increased forest fragmentation has also contributed to its decline; however, it can reside in fragmented systems and move reasonably well between forest fragments if adequate corridors of vegetation exist and suitable habitat components (e. g. spruce) are available in the matrix. Its use of habitat edges varies with type of edges, overall

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Male home ranges vary with landscape structure (20 - 135 ha). Female home ranges are much smaller (c. 8 ha). They nest in cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or nest boxes. The Siberian Flying Squirrel is unique in that it shows female-biased juvenile dispersal, which is best explained by competition between mothers and daughters for limited resources. Mortality ofjuveniles appears to be highest before dispersal. It is reported to glide slowly (5 - 7 m / sec) but exhibit considerable maneuverability because ofits low-wing loading.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Reproduction of Siberian Flying Squirrels occurs in late February-March and April-May. It is estimated that one-third of females in Finland breed twice annually, whereas those in other parts of the distribution (e. g. Russia) may only breed once annually, unless a female loses a litter. Gestation lasts 40 - 42 days; litters are typically 2 - 3 young (range 1 - 6). Young follow their mothers during foraging bouts.

Sciuridae