Are There Flying Squirrels in West Virginia?
Yes, Northern Flying Squirrels live throughout West Virginia. They inhabit the Appalachian Mountains where mixed and coniferous forests provide cavities and dense canopy. These nocturnal, gliding mammals are common in suitable habitat across the state's mountains. Though rarely observed, flying squirrels are important to West Virginia's forest ecosystem and remain active year-round.
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
- 245
- GBIF records
Yes, flying squirrels are in West Virginia. Next you'll want:
Yes, Northern Flying Squirrels live throughout West Virginia. They inhabit the Appalachian Mountains where mixed and coniferous forests provide cavities and dense canopy. These nocturnal, gliding mammals are common in suitable habitat across the state's mountains. Though rarely observed, flying squirrels are important to West Virginia's forest ecosystem and remain active year-round.
Where Flying Squirrels Live in West Virginia
Northern Flying Squirrels inhabit the mountainous terrain throughout West Virginia, with populations concentrated in the Appalachian ridge system. They occupy the high ridges and valleys of the central mountains, including areas around Spruce Knob, the state's highest point, where red spruce and mixed conifer stands provide ideal habitat. The New River Gorge region supports thriving populations in both the gorge bottom and surrounding upland forests. The Monongahela National Forest and associated state forest lands provide extensive habitat across the central mountains. The eastern panhandle mountains, including portions of the Shenandoah Valley border region, host flying squirrel populations. West Virginia's northern mountains, including areas around the Cheat Mountains and the Backbone ridges, support healthy populations. You can learn aboutWest Virginia's wildlife diversitythrough state resources and guides. Flying squirrels are present from the lowest river valleys to the highest ridges, wherever old-growth or mature forest with suitable tree cavities exists. The dense deciduous and mixed forests that blanket West Virginia provide continuous habitat that supports flying squirrel populations throughout the state.
Season and Timing
Northern Flying Squirrels in West Virginia are active throughout the year and do not migrate. Winter is challenging, but flying squirrels survive by relying on food caches created during fall mast seasons. Activity levels remain relatively high even in deep winter, though they conserve energy by limiting foraging to the most productive hours of darkness. Spring brings increased activity as food becomes more abundant and breeding season approaches, with mating occurring from February through April. Females raise litters of two to three young in tree cavities from April through June. Young emerge from their nests in late spring and early summer, becoming increasingly independent and vocal as they master gliding. Fall is the busiest season in West Virginia, as flying squirrels gather and cache vast quantities of acorns, hickory nuts, and seeds to prepare for winter scarcity. Autumn nights grow longer, providing extended foraging time. You can hear flying squirrels most frequently calling during spring courtship and early summer when young are learning independence.
How to Identify a Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrels are among the smallest tree squirrels, weighing only two to three ounces and measuring approximately five inches from nose to rump. Their fur is fine and soft, colored gray or grayish-brown on the back and pure white on the undersides. The distinctive feature is the loose fold of skin, called the patagium, stretching between their front and hind legs. When they spread their legs wide during a glide, this membrane creates a wing-like surface that slows their descent and permits steering. Their eyes are large and forward-facing, specially adapted for seeing in darkness. Their ears are small and rounded, often hidden within dense fur. The tail is long and feathery, heavily furred and somewhat flattened, serving as a rudder during glides. Their teeth are continuously growing incisors, typically orange or yellowish in color, and they must constantly gnaw to maintain proper length and function.
Where Sightings Concentrate in West Virginia
Flying squirrel sightings concentrate in the older, undisturbed forest patches throughout West Virginia's mountains. The New River Gorge National Park and surrounding national forest lands offer excellent habitat and relatively high densities. Spruce Knob and the surrounding high ridges, particularly where red spruce and hemlock create dense canopy, support healthy populations. The Monongahela National Forest provides vast stretches of suitable habitat, especially in wilderness and roadless areas with large, old trees. Eastern panhandle mountain areas, including George Washington National Forest portions, provide good habitat. Sighting opportunities increase during spring and early summer when young are becoming independent and noise levels rise. Night hikes along forest trails during warmer months offer the best chance to hear flying squirrels calling. VisitWest Virginia wildlife guidesto learn more about finding and observing forest inhabitants. Campgrounds and picnic areas in state and national forests provide access points for observing flying squirrel activity. The highest concentrations occur in stands of mature deciduous forest and mixed forest with abundant mast production.
Typical Behavior
Northern Flying Squirrels are strictly nocturnal and remain hidden in their tree-cavity homes throughout daylight hours. They emerge only after dark to forage, glide between trees, and interact with other squirrels. They are generally solitary animals but may den communally during brutal winter weather to share body heat and conserve energy. Their diet consists primarily of seeds from trees, including hickory, oak, and dogwood, along with fungi, insects, and some plant material. Flying squirrels are expert gliders, launching from high branches with their legs spread wide and their tail flexed. Individual glides can cover 60 feet or more, and they can make multiple consecutive glides to cross large gaps. They use their claws to brake upon landing, clinging to the bark and controlling their descent. They produce quiet chirps, squeaks, and chattering sounds, communicating with other squirrels especially during breeding season. Flying squirrels create food caches throughout their territory, hiding seeds and nuts in hundreds of small locations that they relocate using spatial memory. For more information, visitwildlife guidesto learn more.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Flying squirrels in West Virginia are protected by state wildlife regulations and cannot be legally trapped, killed, or removed without a permit. They are entirely beneficial to forests, helping disperse seeds and promote forest regeneration through their feeding and caching behavior. Flying squirrels pose no threat to humans whatsoever. They are shy, small, and nocturnal, making any conflict with people virtually impossible. If an orphaned or injured flying squirrel is found, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. The presence of flying squirrels is a sign of a healthy, intact forest with good forest structure and biodiversity. These nocturnal mammals are indicators of ecological health and forest quality. Learn more aboutWest Virginia's wildlifeto appreciate the complete forest ecosystem. Protecting mature forests and old-growth stands ensures flying squirrels continue to thrive and maintain healthy populations throughout the state's mountains.
Species People Confuse With Flying Squirrels
The most common confusion is with the Fox Squirrel or Eastern Gray Squirrel, both of which are much larger, weighing 16 to 21 ounces or more. Gray squirrels have bushier tails and are diurnal, active during daylight hours. Fox Squirrels are larger still and often display rusty coloring and white nose patches. The Eastern Chipmunk is small but lacks the gliding membrane and is active during the day. Some people briefly mistake flying squirrels for flying mice, but flying mice do not occur in West Virginia. The Virginia opossum is sometimes confused with flying squirrels in darkness, but opossums are much larger and lack the distinctive membrane. Raccoons are far larger and have distinctive black masks. Once you know the small size and nocturnal habits of flying squirrels, confusion with other creatures becomes very unlikely, and their distinctive gliding silhouette and calls make positive identification clear. For more aboutflying squirrel identification, check state resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are flying squirrels found everywhere in West Virginia? A: They are found throughout the state's forested mountains and mountain valleys but are concentrated in areas with mature forest and abundant cavities. Heavily developed lowlands may have few or none. Q: What is the best way to spot a flying squirrel? A: Listen for their calls after dark in mature forest, particularly during spring and early summer. A headlamp on low brightness used carefully may reveal their glides. Q: Do flying squirrels harm trees? A: No. Flying squirrels cause minimal damage to trees and actually benefit forests by dispersing seeds and creating habitat diversity through their caching and den-making behavior. Q: How many flying squirrels live in West Virginia? A: Exact population numbers are unknown, but they are common throughout the state's forested mountains and appear to be stable and widespread in suitable habitat.
Plan your flying squirrel sighting in West Virginia
245 verified flying squirrel records have been logged in West Virginia, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Bluestone National Scenic River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see flying squirrel
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