West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel Takes a Step Back From Extinction
Squirrel lovers take heart. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the West Virginia northern flying squirrel no longer faces the threat of extinction. Furthermore, the service plans to remove it from the endangered species list.
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In their area, they also compete for habitat with the southern flying squirrel. At the time of the listing only 10 squirrels were found in four separate sites. The most recent survey taken in 2006 found over 1,100 squirrels residing in 100 different sites.
Contrary to the name, no flying squirrel, including the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel, actually flies. Instead, with the aid of a layer of fur between their arms and legs which can be used like a parachute when pulled tight, they can glide from branch to branch and tree to tree.
Physically, they are small animals with a soft fur which is brown on the top and gray underneath. Individuals are about a foot long, half of which is the broad, flat tail. Biologists are unsure of their breeding habits but speculate that females produce one litter per year with about four babies per litter. Their life span maight reach four years in lenght. Biologists also assume that the squirrels live in small groups and commonly share nests. They communicate with high-pitched chirps.
Unlike other squirrels, West Virginia northern flying squirrels remain active in the winter. Their large, dark eyes enable these squirrels to see in low light. During the night, the squirrels are very active moving among trees and on the ground. Again unlike other squirrels, West Virginia northern flying squirrels usually forage on lichen and fungi growing above and below ground instead of eating nuts.
© 2006. Patricia A. Michaels.