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Carnivorous Glider Takes to the Trees
by Monica Dorken,
CHEC Educator
June, 2005
The lightening storm unleashed its fury about 1:30
p.m. during volunteer Regina Burke's Sunday
 afternoon
shift as receptionist in the Caniff Visitor
Building. The sudden, bright flashes of light and
accompanying thunderous claps kept her and her
faithful canine companion Speckles confined to the
building. At three in the afternoon (when it was
time to close up), Regina and Speckles waited on the
porch for a break in the downpour, before attempting
to escape down the boardwalk to the safety of her
truck. (Since that day, Regina drives to the
building by way of the back service road.) |
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The pooch was skittish. He kept sniffing and
scratching around the far corner of the porch.
Regina went to investigate the cause of Speckles’
agitation. To her surprise and delight, a startled
southern flying squirrel swooped out from the
rafters under the building and landed in the nearest
slash pine tree.
This smallest of the tree squirrels sports a silky
coat and large black eyes that are adept at light
gathering for nocturnal activities. The clatter of
the thunder and the threat from the canine most
likely disturbed the slumbering squirrel. The
distressed creature was compelled to flee its
safe-haven shelter.
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The southern flying squirrel (Glaucoma's violins)
does not actually fly. It glides through the
air, up to eighty yards or more, with
outstretched limbs. The fold of skin that
spreads between the hind and foreleg acts as
a combination sail and parachute. Thus the
pilot can turn and change the angle of
descent during his flight, using his tail as
a rudder. He slackens his outstretched skin
by lifting his back haunches and dropping
his tail in order to brake before landing.
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Once it lands lightly on all fours, the diminutive
squirrel scurries to the other side of the tree to
hide from possible predators who may have witnessed
his journey. Great horned owls could be about and
would not hesitate to turn the tiny tree dweller
into a main course. |
Mr. flying squirrel follows food chain etiquette
himself and is the most carnivorous of the tree
squirrels. He eats insects, bird eggs, nesting birds
and sometimes flesh of other vertebrates along with
nuts, acorns, seeds and berries. These dietary needs
are plentiful here at Alligator Creek where the
mixed forest of pines, oaks and palms also provides
numerous cavities for dens. Woodpeckers accommodate
the gliders by leaving abandoned hollows vacant for
the next tenant.
Southern flying squirrels ready nests in spring with
a lining of Spanish moss, pieces of bark, shredded
nuts and leaves. Two to six young are born after a
40-day gestation period. The male leaves the nest as
soon as the young are born, but returns to his mate
after she has raised and weaned the babies.
During the cooler months, the squirrels hold
reunions of sorts with as many as twenty-eight
sleeping together in the same tree cavity. I hope
they hold one here at the Alligator Creek Preserve
on Burnt Store Road. 
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Monica Dorken. Thank you!
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"If you are really living... you are enjoying the Punta Gorda
Life"
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