Download Mummert Alison Mummert Huey Huynh Biology 103 28, November

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Alison Mummert
Huey Huynh
Biology 103
28, November 2012
Pa Northern Flying Squirrel
Unless Pennsylvania’s residents enjoy walking through the woods at night, they
probably have never seen a Northern flying squirrel. One reason is because these small
mammals are nocturnal; but another reason why Pennsylvania residents are losing the
opportunity to view these acrobatic creatures, is due to the fact that Pennsylvania’s
carrying capacity has become very low for the Northern flying squirrel. This is causing
these squirrels, which are unique compared to the other squirrels in PA, to become
extinct. It is important that we raise awareness about the Northern flying squirrel,
because these acrobatic creatures plays an important role in several ecological
services; however this endangered species is becoming extinct in Pennsylvania due to
several environmental factors.
Northern Flying Squirrel
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Although the Northern flying squirrel cannot actually fly, it has as a special niche
that makes them unique. These squirrels have the ability to glide through the trees. A
special characteristic of this squirrel is that they have skin flaps between their wrists and
ankles. This gives them wing like characteristics, enabling them to glide from tree to
tree. The Northern flying squirrel most fluent way to get around is to travel through the
trees. They are also equipped with a long, broad, flattened tail which they use to steer.
As the Northern flying squirrel jumps from tree to tree, it can glide up to sixty-five feet at
an average speed of eight miles per hour. The Northern flying squirrel has a small body,
measuring eight to eleven inches long and weighing between three to five ounces. Its
fur is light brown with white fur on its belly. These characteristics make them different
from other squirrel found in Pennsylvania.
The Northern flying squirrel only has one litter per year, of only two to four
offspring. Because of this, I would consider the Northern flying squirrel to be a
k-selective species, although the gestational period of this squirrel is only a little over a
month. When the baby squirrels are about three months old they take their first flight
test. They reach sexual maturity when they are a year old, and in the wild they only live
an average of three years. This low biotic potential, contributes to its low growth rate,
which is one factor why the Northern flying squirrel population size is not growing.
baby squirrels
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Northern flying squirrels are found in Northern Pennsylvania and are native to
Canada. A few studies have shown that areas in Pennsylvania, which were once
populated with Northern flying squirrels, are shrinking. One study showed that the
population density totaled thirty-three. A few areas where the Northern flying squirrel
has been found includes the Pocono region, Warren county and Potter county.
Range of Northern Flying Squirrels
The Northern flying squirrels has very specific biome preferences; they are found
mainly in mature conifer forest. Large mature forest provides them with many old tree
cavities to build their nest, and to glide through. The Northern flying squirrels are
considered to be herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of fungi; although they will
sometimes eat nuts or seeds. Unlike other squirrels, these squirrels do not hoard food,
and they do not hibernate during the winter months, but are active year round. This
specific biome provides them with a sustainable environment.
Some say that the Northern flying squirrel offers very little ecosystem services,
however their unique gliding ability adds to Pennsylvania's biodiversity. It has also been
theorized that their diet of eating of fungi, is an ecosystem service that benefits the
health of the trees. They are unable to digest the fungal spores, which are then spread
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on the ground, in their droppings. This aids in the seeding the fungi around the trees.
Fungi have a symbiotic relationship with trees. Fungi enhances the trees ability to take
in nutrients and water. This is very important since the conifer ecosystem is already
fragile at this time. Also, the hemlock trees provide many ecosystem services with are
important to Pennsylvania. They provide shade, which keeps streams cool. This
provides a healthy environment for fish and other organisms in the stream. The
Northern flying squirrel is considered a keystone species, when considering the
ecosystem services they provide to the trees. The decline of the Northern Squirrel will
have a wide impact on many ecological systems.
Hemlock trees
There are several theories about what maybe contributing to the gradual
extinction of Northern flying squirrel in Pennsylvania. It is thought that the main threat to
the Northern flying squirrel is the loss of mature forest in Pennsylvania. This is mostly
due to human impact through the increase of development. Another reason for the
decline in environment conditions is that Pennsylvania's hemlock trees are being
destroyed by the hemlock wooly adelgid, which is an invasive species. This insect has
severely damaged the hemlock trees. Without these trees the Northern flying squirrel
has lost several important biotic characteristics that it depends on to survive. These
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trees provide them with a place to live and travel through. They also protect them from
predators, and their favorite food grows around trees. Without the hemlock tree their
carrying capacity is lowered.
Another factor contributing to the decline of the Northern flying squirrel is that the
Southern flying squirrel, which was once endemic specie of the south, is now common
all over the eastern U.S. The Southern flying squirrel's environmental resistance is very
high, giving them the ability to live almost anywhere. This characteristic of the Southern
squirrel allows for natural selection to occur. Recently it has been found that the
Southern flying squirrel is now intermingling with the Northern flying squirrel. This is
causing interspecific competition between these two squirrels. The Southern flying
squirrel is not considered a direct predator, or an invasive species, but it definitely does
not have a mutuality relationship with the Northern flying squirrel. It is believed that the
Southern flying squirrel is a carrier of a parasite. This parasite does not harm the
Southern squirrel, but appears to be harming the Northern flying squirrel. The Northern
flying squirrel is not coevolving with its new neighbors, (the Southern flying squirrel) but
often becomes weak and sometimes dies.
Southern squirrel
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Another reason that the Northern flying squirrel is endangered is because the
Northern flying squirrel is low on the food web. A few of the Northerner flying squirrels
predictors include owls, hawks, foxes, raccoons, house cats, and snakes. Because the
squirrels are active during the winter months, they are more venerable during this time
when predator’s food web has been slightly changed.
In 1971 the Northern flying squirrel was listed as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act, and in 2007 they were listed as a threatened species in
Pennsylvania. One federal state wildlife project by Wilkers University and Penn State
Altoona, monitored more than 500 nest boxes. Their goal was to gather population and
reproduction information, due to the lack of research on the Northern flying squirrel.
What can be done to save the Northern flying squirrel, most people are not even
aware that this squirrel even exist? The first thing we need to do is to raise awareness
about this squirrel and educate the public about the important ecosystem services it
provides for our environment. This could be done by starting with educating young
children in the schools, through nature assemblies about the Flying squirrel. Also, since
the main threat to the Northern flying squirrel is the fragmentation of mature forest, it
would benefit this squirrel if we protected older forest from being destroyed. One way
would be to increase protection of the hemlock trees. You often hear people talk about
“saving the trees,” but you do not hear them talk about saving the Flying squirrels. The
protection of the hemlock trees would serve as an umbrella specie. This would provide
the biome needed for the Northern flying squirrel to survive. It would also be beneficial if
research was done to verify that parasites from the Southern flying squirrel are harming
the Northern flying squirrel, and what can be done to protect them from this parasite.
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Working to protect the Northern flying squirrel will in return have many environmental
benefits. Pennsylvania residents need to find a sustainable solution, to provide a health
biome for the squirrel and PA’s growing population.
Overview of PA’s Northern Flying
Squirrel
Low biotic potential
Low growth rate
Lifespan 3 years
K-selective
Weight 3-4 lb
Length 8-11in
Biome- Old Forest
Herbivores
Niche-gliding
Ecosystem service- aid trees
Environmental resistance low
Endangered Species
-Human impact
-Decline of health of forest
-Southern Flying Squirrel
Carrying capacity-low
http://www.rps.psu.edu/indepth/flyingsquirrels.html
www.portal.state.pa.us/775666/northernflying squirrelpdf
Habitat Characteristics and Revised Gap Landscape Analysis for the Northern Flying
Squirrel, a State Endangered Species in Pennsylvania (HACC database)