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Iowa DNR Non-Game Support Certificate
Above photo resolution has been reduced for online viewing. Actual certificate is provided at a higher resolution. The feature wildlife species in DNR's 2010 Nongame Support Certificate is a Southern flying squirrel, photographed by Ty Smedes of Urbandale, Iowa. Ty is an accomplished nature photographer who also provided the image of a bobcat and her kittens featured in the 2003 Nongame Support Certificate. He is the author/photographer of a recently published book, Capturing Iowa's Seasons. Flying Squirrels are small (9 inches, including tail), nocturnal, tree squirrels distinguished by large eyes for good night vision and loose, furred membranes between their front and hind legs. This specialized skin structure allows them to glide ("fly") and steer long distances from tree-to-tree or tree-to-ground. When gliding, this skin is stretched out and acts much like a parachute, landing them safely at their intended destination. Iowa and the southeastern US are home to only Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans). Closely-related Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabinus) are residents of the Great Lake States, New England, Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Southern Flying squirrels occupy and prefer oak-hickory forest habitat across much of Iowa, but are generally rare or absent from the state's NW quadrant. They are most common in larger forest lands of eastern and southern Iowa. "Common" may be a rather deceiving description, however, as these entirely nocturnal mammals are generally unknown to most Iowans. Their relatively retiring manner and nocturnal habits make them somewhat rare finds even for the few Iowans willing to spend long nighttime hours looking for them. They will visit backyard bird feeders at night in forested lands and sometimes surprise homeowners who turn on a yard light near a feeder. But these rather skittish squirrels will usually dart away quickly. Diet consists of acorns and other wild nuts, fungi, insects, some bird eggs and even an occasional mouse. Flying squirrels are much more omnivorous than most other members of the squirrel family. They typically mate once a year in the Iowa part of their range, although they may produce two litters annually in the southeastern US. Litter size averages two-to-four young, and rarely as many as six. In colder parts of their range, Southern flying squirrels often go into torpor in a winter nest. Three to eight squirrels will share a winter nest, and sometimes even as many as 50 might aggregate in a single den. Flying squirrels are among the most engaging members of the squirrel family. Count yourself fortunate if get a chance to see one in the wild.
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