Gliders of the Night Sky

NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Scurrying up the trunk of a tree before leaping off is a creature that glides silently through the night air to the next tree, the branches and leaves of the forest appearing as wisps of fleeting shadows and moonlit patches. Its large, round eyes capture the faintest glimmers of light, guiding its path as it stretches out its limbs, the skin between them forming a perfect aerodynamic wing. The cool, crisp air rushes past and the scent of spruce and fir fills its nose as it deftly maneuvers between the towering trees, demonstrating how Carolina northern flying squirrels have mastered the nocturnal skies.

Tree navigators

The Carolina northern flying squirrel, one of two species of flying squirrel in the state, is a captivating and elusive rodent species found in the high-altitude forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains. They average 10 to 12 inches, which include their dorsoventral tail which looks smooth and lays flat. Their thick, soft fur — ranging from gray to reddish-brown — provides excellent camouflage in their forested habitats, while their large, expressive eyes enable them to see clearly at night.

What truly sets them apart is their patagium, a fur-covered membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. It gives them the remarkable ability to glide between trees, allowing them to travel between food sources or escape predators.

High in the Appalachians

These flying squirrels are nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees. They thrive in cool, moist environments typically found in high-elevation, spruce-fir forests. As such, they can only be found in the mountainous areas of North Carolina, Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

These habitats offer abundant food sources, such as fungi, lichens, tree sap, various seeds and nuts. The dense canopy provides the perfect platform for gliding, allowing the squirrels to travel significant distances — sometimes up to 150 feet in a single glide. Their dependence on specific habitats makes them particularly sensitive to environmental changes, and they are a federally and state-listed endangered species.

Folklore and cultural significance

In Appalachian folklore, the Carolina northern flying squirrel is often seen as a mysterious and elusive creature. Some local legends believe these squirrels have magical properties, suggesting that their ability to glide makes them messengers between the earthly realm and the spirit world.

In Native American cultures, squirrels in general are symbols of preparedness and resourcefulness, while flying squirrels are often considered unseen wonders of nature.

The Carolina northern flying squirrel is a great example of nature's ingenuity, combining unique physical adaptations with a critical ecological role. Their presence is a testament to the richness of biodiversity and the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Visit NCWildlife.org to learn more about these amazing creatures. 

NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Facts

1 Unlike birds, flying squirrels do not have powered flight. They lose altitude when they glide, dropping about 1 foot for every 3 feet forward.

2 These squirrels play a critical role in their ecosystem by dispersing fungal spores, which help maintain healthy forest soils and plant communities.

3 Northern flying squirrels are considered endangered, with major threats including habitat destruction, a changing climate and competition with the more common Southern flying squirrel. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring their high-altitude forest habitats and mitigating the impacts of climate change.