Are There Flying Squirrels in New Hampshire?
Eastern flying squirrels thrive throughout New Hampshire's deciduous and mixed forests, from the White Mountains to coastal regions. These nocturnal gliders inhabit woodlands across the entire state wherever mature trees with suitable cavities exist. Sightings remain uncommon only because they're active exclusively at night. This guide explains how to find them and what makes these rodents important.
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
- 139
- GBIF records
Yes, flying squirrels are in New Hampshire. Next you'll want:
Eastern flying squirrels thrive throughout New Hampshire's deciduous and mixed forests, from the White Mountains to coastal regions. These nocturnal gliders inhabit woodlands across the entire state wherever mature trees with suitable cavities exist. Sightings remain uncommon only because they're active exclusively at night. This guide explains how to find them and what makes these rodents important.
Where Flying Squirrels Are Found in New Hampshire
Eastern flying squirrels occur statewide in New Hampshire, making them the most widespread flying squirrel species in the state. They inhabit the White Mountain National Forest extensively and range throughout the Lakes Region and Connecticut River Valley. Populations thrive in the eastern deciduous forests of the seacoast region. The Appalachian foothills support healthy populations wherever habitat remains suitable. They prefer mature forests with oak, maple, and beech trees alongside conifers. Mixed woodlands provide the diverse food sources and cavity trees they require. Visit anyflying squirrel guideto learn more specific locations in your region. The state's forested landscape, which covers roughly eighty percent of New Hampshire, provides extensive suitable habitat. From the northern border near Vermont to the southern edge near Massachusetts, flying squirrels occupy appropriate woodlands. Their distribution reflects New Hampshire's overall forest coverage patterns. Urban and suburban areas rarely host populations due to habitat fragmentation. For more on flying squirrel in New Hampshire, see ourNew Hampshire flying squirrel guide.
Season and Activity Patterns
Eastern flying squirrels in New Hampshire are active throughout all four seasons without hibernating. They remain most active during spring and fall when food abundance peaks. Spring breeding season brings increased nocturnal activity as males search for females. Summer nights provide extended darkness during the longest days, reducing their active foraging hours. Fall represents the busiest season as they cache nuts and seeds obsessively to prepare for winter. Winter activity continues steadily, with flying squirrels remaining active on mild nights and during daylight hours on rare occasions. They don't sleep through winter but instead rely on stored food and their thick fur coat. Late evening hours from dusk through midnight represent their prime activity period. Wind and heavy rain suppress activity more than temperature alone. The longest activity periods occur during spring and autumn months when nighttime food sources are most abundant. New Hampshire's seasonal changes create predictable patterns in flying squirrel behavior that locals can observe through indirect evidence. You can also browseNew Hampshire wildlife.
How to Identify a Flying Squirrel
Eastern flying squirrels measure eight to nine inches long with bushy tails comprising much of their length. Their most distinctive feature is the patagium, a thin membrane of skin that stretches from wrist to ankle. When spread wide, this patagium creates a wing-like surface that enables gliding. Their coloration is reddish-brown to gray on the back, with white underparts and a white belly. Compared to the larger Northern flying squirrel, Eastern flying squirrels are smaller and display warmer tones. Their eyes are large and adapted for nocturnal vision, appearing dark and shiny. Ears are small and rounded. The tail is flattened and works as a rudder during flight. Males and females appear similar externally, though females may show enlarged nipples during breeding seasons. Their small claws provide excellent grip on bark and wood. The undersides of their gliding membranes often appear lighter than their backs, a useful identification feature when glimpsed in silhouette. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Where Sightings Concentrate in New Hampshire
Eastern flying squirrel sightings concentrate in mature deciduous and mixed forests with abundant cavity trees. The White Mountain National Forest provides some of New Hampshire's most reliable habitat. Areas around the Lakes Region with oak and maple stands host substantial populations. The Connecticut River Valley, particularly the forested portions on both the New Hampshire and Vermont sides, supports active colonies. Coastal forest fragments from Portsmouth southward occasionally produce sightings, though habitat fragmentation reduces populations there. State parks and protected forest areas maintain healthier populations than suburban woodlands. Locations near large snags and cavity-rich trees consistently report signs of activity. Mixed age-class forests with both mature trees and younger growth provide ideal conditions. Sightings are most frequent in areas where human disturbance remains minimal. Many New Hampshire areas, especially in the northern and western parts of the state, have established populations nearby even if residents remain unaware of their presence. Early spring and late fall offer the best seasonal windows for observing evidence of flying squirrels. OurNew Hampshire wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Behavior and Dietary Habits
Eastern flying squirrels are primarily nocturnal and highly social animals that sometimes nest communally during winter. They consume a varied diet including nuts, seeds, berries, fungi, tree bark, and insects. Oak acorns and hickory nuts constitute major food sources in New Hampshire when available. They actively forage for insects and sometimes raid bird nests for eggs. Flying squirrels cache food obsessively in fall, creating numerous small storage sites throughout their territory. They glide between trees with remarkable control, using their tail for steering and their patagium for braking. A single glide can cover more than a hundred feet while losing minimal altitude. Their tails help them land gracefully on tree trunks, always approaching from below to avoid falling. Social hierarchies exist within groups, with dominant individuals claiming preferred nesting cavities. Winter nesting groups can include up to a dozen individuals huddling together for warmth. Their foraging activities support forest health by dispersing fungi and seeds and controlling insect populations. Read more aboutflying squirrel in New Hampshire.
Coexistence and Legal Status
Eastern flying squirrels are fully protected as native New Hampshire wildlife and receive no legal harvest seasons. They play an important ecological role in forest ecosystems as seed dispersers and food sources for predators. Their presence indicates healthy, mature forest habitat. They contribute to forest regeneration through their caching and feeding activities. Owls, particularly barred owls and great horned owls, represent their primary predators. Weasels, fishers, and snakes also hunt flying squirrels when opportunities arise. Homeowners in forested New Hampshire occasionally encounter flying squirrels in attics or walls, though this remains uncommon. Exclusion techniques using one-way doors and sealing entry points resolve conflicts humanely. No poisons or lethal control methods are appropriate for these rodents. Learning aboutNew Hampshire wildlifeenhances understanding of forest ecosystems. Their presence benefits everyone by keeping forests healthy and functioning properly. Appreciation for these creatures grows when people understand their ecological importance and remarkable abilities. Browsewildlife in New Hampshirefor related pages.
Species That People Confuse With Flying Squirrels
Eastern flying squirrels might be mistaken for other small tree-dwelling animals in New Hampshire, though their patagium makes them fairly distinctive. Regular gray squirrels are larger, lack the gliding membrane, and are diurnal. Red squirrels are smaller and lack the patagium entirely. Fox squirrels do not occur in New Hampshire. Chipmunks are smaller and terrestrial. Nighttime observers might confuse flying squirrel silhouettes with small birds, particularly bats, which also glide through the darkness. However, bats display completely different flight mechanics and silhouettes. Deer mice and other small nocturnal rodents lack the distinctive patagium and have different body shapes. Flying squirrels are the only gliding mammals found in New Hampshire, making them relatively easy to identify once you understand their defining feature. Young flying squirrels might briefly confuse observers, but their proportions and gliding behavior remain distinctive. The patagium, when visible even partially, provides certain identification. People who actually observe one clearly rarely mistake it for anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are flying squirrels common in New Hampshire? A: Yes, they occur statewide wherever suitable habitat exists, making them relatively common despite their nocturnal habits. Q: What sounds do flying squirrels make? A: They produce clicks, chirps, and soft chatters when communicating. Q: Do flying squirrels carry diseases? A: Flying squirrels rarely pose disease risks to humans. Normal precautions apply when handling wildlife. Q: What time of night are flying squirrels most active? A: They peak in activity during early evening hours and just before dawn, though they remain active throughout the night. For more information about New Hampshire's wildlife, visit ourflying squirrel guideor explore the broaderwildlife guide.
Plan your flying squirrel sighting in New Hampshire
139 verified flying squirrel records have been logged in New Hampshire, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see flying squirrel
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