MAMMALS OF MARYLAND 



85 



The flying squirrel is one of the most nocturnal mammals in Mary- 

 land, rarely leaving its nest before the sun is well down. It remains 

 active throughout the night, foraging for hickory nuts, beechnuts, 

 acorns, maple and wild cherry seeds, apples, and buds and blossoms of 

 some trees. It is carnivorous to some extent and occasionally feeds on 

 insects, young birds, and birds' eggs. This squirrel is highly social. 



The favorite nesting site for the flying squirrel is a hole in a dead or 

 dying tree. A cavity made by a woodpecker is often preferred, although 

 occasionally a natural one will be utilized and artificial bird nest boxes 

 are sometimes used. The nest is composed of finely shredded leaves and 

 inner bark. 



This species probably does not hibernate in Maryland, although 

 farther north it becomes inactive during colder weather (SoUberger, 

 1940, p. 285). Mating may occur in late February or early March and 

 the gestation period is about 40 days. Three young usually comprise a 

 litter, and a second mating sometimes occurs in July ( Sollberger, 1943, 

 p. 163). 



Specimens examined. — Anne Arundel County: Annapolis, 3 miles 

 NIV, 1. Charles County: Marshall Hall, 2; Newport, 10. Montgomery 

 County: Cabin John Creek, 1 ; Capitol View, 1 ; Chevy Chase, 1 ; Dick- 

 erson, 1 ; Garrett Park, 1 ; Glen Echo Heights, 1 ; Great Falls, 1 ; Kens- 

 ington, 2; Plummers Island (near), 1; Silver Spring, 4. Prince 

 Georges County: Anacostia River, NW Branch, 1; Branchville, 1; 

 Laurel, 2 ; Upper Marlboro, 1 ; no exact locality, 3. St. Marys County: 

 Tall Timbers, 1. 



Other records and reports. — Allegany County: Mount Savage 

 (Coll. U. Md.) ; Town Hill (Coll. U. Md.). Baltimore County: Bare 

 Hills-Lake Eoland area (Bures, 1948, p. 67) ; Patapsco State Park 

 (Hampe, 1939, p. 6). Cecil County : Bacon Hill (3 specimens in Phila. 

 Acad. Nat. Sci.). Montgomery County: Forest Glen (Bangs, 1896, 

 p. 166). Prince Georges County: Patuxent Research Center (Herman 

 and Warbach, 1956, p. 87) . 



Family CASTORIDAE (beavers) 

 BEAVER 

 Castor canadensis Kuhl 



Castor canadensis Kuhl, Beitr. z. zool. u. vergleich. Anat., Abth. 1, 

 p. 64, 1820. 



Type locality. — Hudson Bay. 



General distribution. — Formerly ranged over most of the forested regions of 

 North America, north of Mexico. It was exterminated in many areas of its range 

 and later successfully reintroduced into some sections. 



