Family SCIURIDAE 



149 



Fig, 84. — Southern flying squirrel in "flight." 



GLAUCOMYS VOLANS (Linnaeus) 

 Southern Flying Squirrel 



Description. — The southern flying squirrel, fig. 83, is about 

 the size of the eastern chipmunk but appears larger than it 

 really is because of its "flying" membranes, thick fur, and broad 

 tail. Its eyes are especially large and its ears project only a 

 short distance above the fur. Xhe "flying" membrane on each 

 side of the body consists of a loose fold of skin extending from 

 wrist to ankle. The glossy fur on the back and sides of the body 

 is gray, drab, or pinkish cinnamon; the under parts are pure 

 white. The feet are a dusky color. The flattened tail is about 

 the same color as the back. 



Length measurements: head and body 5l/^-5l/2 inches (130- 

 140 mm.) ; tail 3i/^-4i4 inches (90-110 mm.) ; over-all 8^-9^ 

 inches (220-250 mm.) ; hind foot about \% inches (27-33 mm.). 

 Weight about 2 ounces (40-70 gm.). 



The skull is 33-36 mm. (about 1^8 inches) long. The inter- 

 orbital region is deeply notched, fig. 74;, and the postorbital 

 processes are large. Dental formula: I 1/1, COO, Pm 2/1, 

 M 3/3. 



Life History. — The flying squirrel is abroad only at night 

 and sleeps by day in a cavity within a tree. It is a very in- 

 triguing animal, for it has perfected the art of gliding (loosely 



