Southern flying squirrel

The southern flying squirrel is found throughout the deciduous forests of eastern North America from southern Ontario to the Gulf. However, it is classified as rare in Nova Scotia.

Measuring only about 25 centimetres long, the southern flying squirrel has soft, silky grey-brown fur on its upper body and creamy-white on its underparts, with a black ring around the eyes. By using its gliding membrane (a fold of skin that extends from its front to back legs), it glides from tree to tree with legs extended to form a wing-like gliding surface. It makes a very high-pitched chirping or chittering sound.

Because it's active at night, sightings of the squirrel are rare. A few squirrels have been sighted in Kejimkujik, usually in areas of open woodland with some oak trees. However, the present population figures are unsure.

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