T he photo on the front cover is a Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), a small nocturnal mammal. It is one of two species of flying squirrels found in North America, the other being the larger Northern Flying Squirrel (G. sabrinus). It is found in deciduous forests and mixed woodlands in the eastern part of North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida.Southern flying squirrels have grey brown fur, with a white to cream color underneath. They have large dark eyes and a long flat tail. A furry membrane called a patagium extends between their front and back legs, which they use to glide through the air. The tail is used to stabilize flight and also as an air brake before landing.Because the Southern flying squirrel is very small, approximately 65 grams, they are very vulnerable to predators on the ground, including snakes, owls, hawks, raccoons, domestic and feral cats, as well as disease. This is why they hunt for food during the night using their keen sense of sight and smell. They feed on fruit, nuts, seeds, and berries, as well as insects, mushrooms, fungi, carrion, bird eggs, and nestlings and flowers. They store their food for winter consumption in nests in snags and hollow trees.At BNL, undergraduate student interns began studying the Southern flying squirrel in 2009. These studies utilized live traps to determine the population and diversity of small mammals and flying squirrels in the then proposed site for the Long Island Solar Farm. The information was used to assess any changes in habitat use after the solar array was constructed. Specific tree species used by flying squirrels were also identified. In 2010 and 2011, students continued to use radio-telemetry using radio collars on 15 squirrels to focus on their home range and habitat use. In 2012, an additional 11 squirrels were tracked to continue the research. Results are currently being analyzed and are expected to be published.
