Found in coniferous and mixed forests across Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States, this nocturnal squirrel is rarely seen, not because it is rare, but because of its nighttime habits. Its most striking feature is the patagium, a furry flap of skin stretching from its wrists to its ankles. When the squirrel leaps from a tree, it spreads its limbs, and the patagium acts like a parachute, allowing it to glide distances of over 150 feet with astonishing control. Its long, flat tail works as both a rudder and a stabilizer, helping it make sharp turns mid-air and land softly on its chosen tree. Unlike the daytime antics of gray or red squirrels, the Northern flying squirrel’s movements are more like a secret ballet performed under the cover of darkness.

What makes this species truly unique is not just its gliding ability, but also its role in the health of forests. The Northern flying squirrel has a diet that includes nuts, seeds, berries, and insects, but its most important food source is fungi, particularly truffles. By eating these underground fungi and spreading their spores through droppings, the squirrel helps trees form vital partnerships with fungi—a relationship known as mycorrhizae, which allows trees to absorb water and nutrients more effectively. In this way, the Northern flying squirrel is considered a “keystone species,” quietly sustaining entire forest ecosystems.

The Northern flying squirrel also has remarkable survival strategies. It is strictly nocturnal, with large, dark eyes that give it excellent night vision. In winter, it often shares nests with other squirrels, sometimes forming groups of up to a dozen individuals. These communal nests help conserve body heat and increase survival during harsh, snowy months. They build their homes in tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or even old bird nests, lining them with soft moss, lichens, or shredded bark for insulation.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

2016

United States

2016