So far this summer, the PAWS Wildlife Center has cared for dozens of orphaned squirrels representing four differnt species. The rarest of these species was the threatened Western Gray Squirrel, but the most unique is definitely the Northern Flying Squirrel.
Flying Squirrels don't actually fly, but they are capable of gliding as far as 80 yards or more from one tree to another. This is made possible by loose folds of skin stretching between the squirrel's front and back legs. When the squirrel extends all four of his limbs, the skin is pulled taut to create the gliding surface. Although Northern Flying Squirrels are very common, even in many neighborhoods of Seattle, their high-flying acrobatics are seldom witnessed because they are only active at night.
There are currently four Northern Flying Squirrels in care at PAWS Wildlife Center. The first arrived on August 17 after being found on the ground in the town of Duvall. A young male, the squirrel had suffered a puncture wound on his head, most likely from being attacked by a predator. The other three flyers are siblings from a nest that was destroyed when a tree fell in Carnation, WA. Fortunately, none of the three were injured in the incident.
All four squirrels are doing well so far in our care. If all continues to go well, they should be ready for release sometime in October.