Southern Flying Squirrel at a Glance
Southern flying squirrels are among the most social and affectionate exotic pets — but they need careful diet management, large vertical space, and a very committed owner.
Care Requirements by Priority
Flying Squirrel Care Quick Reference
| Aspect | Requirement | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cage | 4+ ft tall, 2+ ft wide | 24/7 | Wire sides for climbing, horizontal platforms |
| Diet base | Flying squirrel block (Exotic Nutrition) | Daily | Must be calcium-rich base food |
| Insects | Mealworms, crickets, waxworms | Daily (3-5) | Live or dried, gut-loaded |
| Fruit/veggies | Apple, berries, sweet potato | Daily (tsp) | Varied for micronutrients |
| Calcium | Calcium powder on food | Daily | Without it → MBD (metabolic bone disease) |
| Bonding | Pouch carry at night | Daily 2+ hours | Critical for tame, bonded squirrel |
| Wheel | Solid 11+ inch wheel | 24/7 | No wire wheels — tail injuries |
| Vet | Exotic vet with squirrel experience | As needed | Very few vets treat flying squirrels |
Daily Flying Squirrel Care Routine
Flying Squirrel Ownership Checklist
| Purchase a tall cage (at least 4 feet high) with climbing branches, platforms, and a nest box | |
| Feed a nutritionally balanced diet with a quality flying squirrel block as the base | |
| Supplement every meal with calcium powder — metabolic bone disease is the #1 killer | |
| Bond daily using a bonding pouch — carry the squirrel at night for 2+ hours | |
| Provide an 11+ inch solid wheel — they run several miles every night | |
| Find an exotic vet BEFORE you get the squirrel — emergency vet visits are critical | |
| Attempt to keep a wild-caught flying squirrel — they are high-stress and rarely tame | |
| Feed an all-seed or all-nut diet — it causes malnutrition and calcium deficiency | |
| Use a wire wheel — flying squirrels' tails get caught and can be degloved | |
| Keep a single flying squirrel without daily human bonding — they are social and get depressed | |
| Assume they are easy pets because they are small — their diet, enclosure, and social needs are complex |
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is the #1 killer of captive flying squirrels. It is caused by calcium deficiency and leads to paralysis, seizures, and death. Calcium supplementation is non-negotiable.
Hand-raised flying squirrels that bond with their owners will glide TO you when you enter the room. They recognize their person by scent and voice and can form extremely strong attachments.
Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are the smallest North American squirrel species and, when hand-raised from a young age, bond deeply to human owners -- sleeping in pockets, grooming their person, and gliding to them from across a room. They are legal to keep as pets in most US states (check local regulations; some states prohibit ownership). They are nocturnal, extremely fast, and escape from poorly designed enclosures with ease -- success requires understanding their needs before acquisition.
Natural Biology
Southern flying squirrels weigh 1.5--3.5 oz and measure 8--10 inches total length (including tail). They do not truly fly -- they glide using a patagium (membrane from wrist to ankle). Wild glides exceed 150 feet. They are highly social in the wild, denning communally in tree cavities. They are nocturnal, emerging after dark to forage on nuts, seeds, insects, and fungi. Life expectancy in the wild: 3--5 years; in captivity with good care: 8--12 years.
Bonding and Acquisition
Flying squirrels bond most strongly when acquired young (6--8 weeks, just after weaning) and carried in a chest pocket or bonding pouch for several hours daily. Body heat, heartbeat, and scent create a powerful imprinting bond. Adult flying squirrels that have not been handled are difficult to tame and may bite defensively. Source from USDA-licensed breeders who hand-raise joeys; avoid wild-caught animals (illegal, stressed, and parasitized).
Housing
Minimum enclosure: 3 x 2 x 4 feet tall with bar spacing under 0.5 inches. Vertical space is essential for climbing and gliding. Flying squirrels are escape artists -- every seam and latch must be secure. Provide branches, ropes, and platforms for climbing. A large nest box lined with fleece. Temperature: 65--80 degrees F; avoid drafts. Pairs or small groups (same-sex or bonded mixed-sex pairs) thrive together; isolated flying squirrels become stressed and develop stereotypic behaviors.
Diet
Commercial squirrel diets (BML -- Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's) are a popular balanced formula. Supplement with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and occasional insect protein (mealworms, crickets). Avoid avocado and high-oxalate foods (spinach in excess). Calcium supplementation is critical -- metabolic bone disease is the most common preventable health problem in flying squirrels. Cuttlebone or calcium powder on food daily.
Health and Legal Considerations
Annual exotic mammal vet check. Common problems: metabolic bone disease (calcium deficiency), obesity (excess nuts), and dental disease. Flying squirrels are susceptible to hypothermia if exposed to cold drafts -- maintain stable temperatures. Legality: most US states permit ownership; some require permits (check state fish and wildlife regulations before acquiring). Never release a captive-raised flying squirrel into the wild.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual -- exotic rodent care; USDA permit regulations for native mammal breeding; peer-reviewed Glaucomys volans ecology research (Journal of Mammalogy); BML diet formulation records.