The southern flying squirrel is a tiny, nocturnal gliding rodent that bonds intensely when raised young and is kept as an exotic companion in some US states. It is highly social, needs tall flight space and a colony, and is legally restricted or prohibited in many areas.
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Small: body 13-15 cm plus an 8-12 cm flattened tail; 45-85 g
Lifespan
5–12 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Eastern North America
Origin
New World
Climate
🍂 Temperate
Family
Sciuridae
Genus
Glaucomys
Part of the Flying squirrels
Tiny nocturnal gliding rodents that parachute on skin membranes — intensely social, calcium-sensitive exotics that bond when raised young but are legally restricted in many regions.
More flying squirrels coming soon.
Habitat & space requirements
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Tall aviary-style cage
90 × 60 × 180 cm tall (height critical)
Southern flying squirrels are nocturnal arboreal gliders — need a TALL aviary-style cage with branches at multiple heights, nest boxes near the top, and vertical space for short glides.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Walk-in flight aviary
120 × 90 × 220 cm walk-in
Walk-in flight aviary or floor-to-ceiling cage with varied branches, nest boxes, foraging stations, and a quiet wheel. Bonded pairs/groups — they are highly social and stressed solo.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Dedicated flight room
Floor-to-ceiling room with glide runs
A dedicated flight room or large planted aviary with long horizontal glide distances between branches, multiple nest boxes, and night-active enrichment. Closest to wild arboreal range.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Habitat & enclosure
These squirrels glide rather than fly, so vertical space matters most: provide the tallest cage you can (a large flight or aviary-style cage, minimum ~75 cm wide and well over a meter tall), with many branches, ropes, and nest boxes/pouches high up. They are highly social and should be kept in pairs or small groups, never alone. Out-of-cage glide time in a safe, squirrel-proofed room enriches them greatly.
Substrate
Use paper-based bedding or aspen on cage trays, with soft fleece pouches and shredded paper in elevated nest boxes for their communal day-sleeping. Avoid cedar/pine shavings. Keep nesting areas high and draft-free.
Equipment & setup
Tall flight cage, multiple hanging nest pouches and boxes, abundant branches and climbing ropes, a bonding pouch for socialization, calcium supplement/cuttlebone, low heat source for cool rooms, and insect-feeding supplies. Solid exercise wheel optional. A squirrel-proofed room for supervised glide sessions.
Diet
Diet balance is critical to prevent metabolic bone disease. Offer a varied mix: a calcium-rich base (a formulated glider/insectivore diet or a homemade calcium-correct mix), insects (mealworms, crickets) for protein, nuts and seeds in moderation, plus vegetables and limited fruit. Provide a cuttlebone or calcium supplement. Avoid all-seed or all-nut diets, which cause severe calcium deficiency and paralysis.
Behavior & temperament
Strictly nocturnal and intensely social, they bond closely to humans only if raised from a young age, often riding in a bonding pouch. They are gliders, leaping and parachuting between perches, and are very fast and small, so escapes happen easily. They huddle communally to sleep and can become stressed or even fail to thrive if kept singly. Vocal chirps and scent-marking are normal.
Health
Metabolic bone disease from poor calcium balance is the leading captive killer — signs include weakness, tremors, and fractures. With proper diet they can live well over a decade. Keep them warm and stress-free; cold or isolation harms them. Exotics-vet care is essential and not all vets see them. Confirm legality, as many states ban or permit-restrict native flying squirrels.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Always keep two or more — these are colony animals and pine away alone. Get the diet right with a calcium-correct base to prevent MBD. Bond using a pouch worn against your body when they're young. Verify state and local law before acquiring, as native flying squirrels are heavily regulated or banned in much of the US.
