Are There Flying Squirrels in Florida?
Yes, flying squirrels live in northern Florida, though their range is limited compared to other states. The Eastern Flying Squirrel inhabits forests in the northern peninsula and panhandle regions. These small nocturnal gliders are found in mixed hardwood forests and longleaf pine stands, but they become increasingly rare or absent southward beyond central Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel · Evan M. Raskin CC BY
Southern Flying Squirrel · Hila Taylor CC BY
Southern Flying Squirrel · Nik Hughes CC BY
- 1,616
- GBIF records
Yes, flying squirrels are in Florida. Next you'll want:
Yes, flying squirrels live in northern Florida, though their range is limited compared to other states. The Eastern Flying Squirrel inhabits forests in the northern peninsula and panhandle regions. These small nocturnal gliders are found in mixed hardwood forests and longleaf pine stands, but they become increasingly rare or absent southward beyond central Florida.
Where Flying Squirrels Are Found in Florida
Flying squirrels in Florida are concentrated in the northern portions of the state, with their stronghold in the panhandle and northern peninsula. The Apalachicola National Forest and surrounding hardwood stands provide excellent habitat for established populations. They occur throughout the Big Bend region and northward into Jefferson and Leon counties. The St. Johns River basin contains scattered populations, particularly where oak and hickory forests remain intact. Flying squirrels are rarest or absent south of a line roughly from the Gulf Coast near Homosassa to the Atlantic coast near Brevard County. The southern half of Florida lacks suitable habitat and historical records of flying squirrels. Northern Florida's mix of longleaf pine flatwoods and hardwood forests provides the conditions these gliders need. They're found in isolated forest patches throughout northern Madison, Taylor, and Suwannee counties. Visit ourFlorida wildlife guideto learn about other tree-dwelling mammals found across the state. Their Florida populations are less dense than in states further north.
Season and Activity in Florida
Flying squirrels in Florida are active year-round, with slightly different patterns than their northern cousins due to Florida's mild winters and hot summers. They're most active during fall and winter months when cooler temperatures prevail and food is abundant. Spring brings mating season and the birth of first litters, with a second breeding period occurring in late summer. Summer heat reduces their visibility and activity during the darkest night hours when temperatures are coolest. Florida's relatively warm winters mean flying squirrels don't face the severe food shortages that plague northern populations. They remain active on most nights throughout the year, though activity levels fluctuate with moon phase and temperature. During the warmest summer months, they may reduce foraging to the very latest night hours or just before dawn. Fall acorn crops from white oaks and water oaks drive intense activity and food caching. Florida's wetter climate provides reliable water sources, reducing their need for specialized moisture-seeking behavior. Most sightings occur between dusk and dawn, with peak times shortly after sunset. For more on flying squirrel in Florida, see ourFlorida flying squirrel guide.
How to Identify a Flying Squirrel
Flying squirrels are among Florida's smallest tree-dwelling mammals, weighing just two to three ounces and measuring six to eight inches in body length. Their most distinctive feature is the loose fold of skin called a patagium that extends between their front and hind legs, enabling their characteristic gliding flight. This membrane is nearly invisible when they're at rest on tree trunks, making them appear similar to regular squirrels at first glance. Large, dark eyes adapted for night vision are a key field mark. Their fur is soft and silky, gray to reddish-brown on the back and pure white on the underside. The gliding membrane's underside is also white, creating a dramatic effect during flight. Their tail is flattened and fringed with hairs, serving as a rudder during glides. They have smaller, rounder ears than gray squirrels and more delicate facial features. High-pitched chirps and clicking vocalizations are their primary sounds, rarely heard by humans. Males and females look identical in appearance, though females are slightly larger. You can also browseFlorida wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Florida
Flying squirrel sightings in Florida concentrate in the forested regions of the northern third of the state, with the Apalachicola National Forest being the most reliable location. The hardwood forests of northern Wakulla and Leon counties consistently harbor populations. The mixed pine-hardwood forests surrounding Santa Fe Lake area in Gilchrist County support flying squirrels. The Big Bend region's hammocks and forest stands contain scattered populations. Ichetucknee Springs State Park and surrounding hardwoods in Dixie County provide excellent habitat. Northern Alachua and Bradford counties contain flying squirrel populations in oak-dominated forests. The Osceola National Forest area in northern Baker County is another concentration point. Sightings become increasingly rare south of Ocala, with isolated reports from northern Marion County representing the southernmost regular occurrence. Most reliable sightings occur in forests with large oaks, hickories, and mixed hardwoods offering dense canopy cover. These areas typically include old trees with natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes for nesting.
Typical Behavior and Diet
Flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal, remaining hidden in tree cavities or leafy dreys throughout daylight hours. They're most active during the darkest night hours, launching from high branches and gliding to neighboring trees with remarkable control and precision. A single glide can extend over 150 feet, though most glides are considerably shorter. Their diet in Florida focuses on acorns from white oaks and water oaks, supplemented with hickory nuts and pine seeds. They consume berries seasonally and actively hunt insects, particularly moths and beetle larvae. In fall, they exhibit intense food-caching behavior, burying nuts and seeds in multiple locations for winter use. They're highly social and often share winter dens with family members, huddling together for warmth on cold nights. Flying squirrels maintain small territories but show remarkable tolerance for den mates during winter months. Florida's abundant food sources mean they don't face the winter starvation risks of northern populations. They conduct nearly their entire lives in the canopy, rarely descending to the ground. They move silently through the forest, avoiding predators through their nocturnal lifestyle.
Coexistence and Legal Protections
Flying squirrels are protected wildlife in Florida and cannot be trapped, hunted, or kept without special permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These shy, harmless creatures pose no threat to humans and actively avoid contact with people. If a flying squirrel enters your home, contact a licensed wildlife removal professional rather than attempting removal yourself. Flying squirrels do not carry rabies at higher rates than other wildlife and pose minimal disease risk to people. They're beneficial members of Florida's forest ecosystem, dispersing fungi and tree seeds as they forage. Dead trees and natural cavities are essential for their survival, and maintaining snags on forested properties benefits multiple species including flying squirrels. Protecting the mature hardwood forests of northern Florida helps ensure flying squirrel populations remain stable. They require large, continuous forest areas to thrive and are vulnerable to forest fragmentation. Learn more about flying squirrels and their role inFlorida's wildlife area. Reporting sightings to wildlife biologists helps track population trends and habitat use patterns over time.
Species People Confuse with Flying Squirrels
The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the most common source of confusion, as both are tree-dwelling but gray squirrels are significantly larger and completely unable to glide. Fox Squirrels are even larger than gray squirrels and have distinctive white markings and larger ears. Eastern Chipmunks are much smaller and have characteristic stripes running along their backs and sides. They're also primarily diurnal, making them easier to observe than nocturnal flying squirrels. Red Squirrels are smaller than gray squirrels but much larger than flying squirrels and lack gliding membranes. Southern Flying Squirrels are nearly identical to Eastern Flying Squirrels but don't occur as far north as Florida's panhandle. Virginia Opossums are sometimes mistaken for flying squirrels when in trees, but they're much larger and have white-faced, hairless ears. Raccoons are considerably larger and more destructive to homes. American Marten, if spotted in northern pine forests, can resemble a flying squirrel but is much larger. Accuratewildlife identificationhelps distinguish these species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are flying squirrels rarer in Florida than in northern states? Florida's warm climate and lower oak nut production south of the panhandle provide less reliable food sources, and the shorter winter seasons reduce advantages of food caching behavior. Q: Can I see flying squirrels in central or south Florida? Flying squirrels are essentially absent from central and southern Florida, with occasional, rare sightings limited to the northern peninsula's hardwood forests. Q: What should I do if a flying squirrel enters my attic? Contact a licensed Florida wildlife removal professional who can humanely exclude the animal without harming it. Flying squirrels rarely establish colonies like gray squirrels do. Q: How can I attract flying squirrels to my northern Florida property? Maintain native oak and hickory trees, keep dead trees and snags for nesting cavities, and avoid using pesticides that eliminate their insect prey. Protect yourFlorida wildlifeby preserving native forest habitat.
Plan your flying squirrel sighting in Florida
1,616 verified flying squirrel records have been logged in Florida, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Biscayne National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Canaveral National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Dry Tortugas National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Everglades National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Gulf Islands National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see flying squirrel
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