Are There Flying Squirrels in Wisconsin?
Yes, Northern Flying Squirrels live in Wisconsin's northern forests. They inhabit the Nicolet and Chequamegon National Forests and surrounding areas with mature coniferous and mixed forests. These nocturnal gliders are common in suitable habitat throughout northern Wisconsin. Though they remain active year-round, their nocturnal habits make them rarely observed.
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
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Yes, flying squirrels are in Wisconsin. Next you'll want:
Yes, Northern Flying Squirrels live in Wisconsin's northern forests. They inhabit the Nicolet and Chequamegon National Forests and surrounding areas with mature coniferous and mixed forests. These nocturnal gliders are common in suitable habitat throughout northern Wisconsin. Though they remain active year-round, their nocturnal habits make them rarely observed.
Where Flying Squirrels Live in Wisconsin
Northern Flying Squirrels in Wisconsin are concentrated in the northern third of the state, where large tracts of forest provide suitable habitat. The Nicolet National Forest in northeastern Wisconsin is a major stronghold, with flying squirrels occupying hemlock, white pine, and mixed conifer forests throughout the forest. The Chequamegon National Forest in north-central Wisconsin supports healthy populations in its extensive forest stands. The North Woods region, including areas around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan shorelines, provides excellent habitat with old-growth and mature forest. The Kettle Moraine area offers mixed forest habitat suitable for flying squirrels. Flying squirrels are largely absent from southern Wisconsin and the Driftless Area in the southwest, where the landscape is more open and agricultural. Central Wisconsin's transition zone between the northern forests and southern deciduous regions may support scattered populations. You can exploreWisconsin wildlife resourcesto learn more about forest inhabitants and their habitats. Flying squirrels depend on mature forest with abundant tree cavities and dense canopy, which is why their distribution closely follows the state's major forest regions.
Season and Timing
Northern Flying Squirrels in Wisconsin are active year-round without migration. Winter is the most challenging season, with intense cold and deep snow, but flying squirrels survive by relying on cached seeds gathered during abundant fall months. Activity decreases in winter as they conserve energy, remaining in their tree-cavity homes for extended periods. Spring brings increased activity and vocalizations as breeding season approaches, with mating occurring from February through April. Females raise litters of two to three young in tree cavities from April through early June. Young emerge from their nests in late spring and early summer, becoming increasingly independent and vocal as they learn to glide. Summer is moderately active, with abundant insects and fresh food. Fall is the busiest season in Wisconsin's forests, as flying squirrels frantically gather and cache seeds and nuts, creating thousands of food storage sites. Autumn nights grow longer, extending their foraging time. You can hear flying squirrels most clearly during spring courtship and early summer when young are developing.
How to Identify a Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrels are among the smallest tree squirrels, weighing only two to three ounces and measuring about five inches in body length. Their fur is soft and dense, colored gray on the back with a slightly warmer brown tone compared to other flying squirrel subspecies. The belly and undersides are pure white. The most distinctive feature is the loose fold of skin, the patagium, that stretches between their front and hind legs. When gliding, they spread their legs to stretch this membrane into a wing-like surface. Their eyes are large and forward-facing, specially adapted for nocturnal vision. Their ears are small and rounded, often concealed within fur. The tail is long, feathery, and heavily furred, serving as a rudder and stabilizer during glides. Their incisors are small but continuously growing, typically orange or yellowish, and they must gnaw constantly to keep them worn to proper length.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Wisconsin
Flying squirrel sightings concentrate in the extensive forest tracts of northern Wisconsin. The Nicolet National Forest offers excellent opportunities, particularly in areas of old-growth hemlock and mixed conifer forest. The Chequamegon National Forest provides vast stretches of suitable habitat. Areas around Lake Superior's south shore, including the Bayfield Peninsula and surrounding forests, support healthy populations. The North Woods near the Michigan border host healthy populations where Wisconsin's largest forest blocks exist. Forested areas in Douglas, Bayfield, and Ashland Counties in the northwest offer good habitat. Central Wisconsin's transition forests, including areas of the Kettleridge region, may support flying squirrels. Sighting opportunities increase during spring and early summer when young are becoming independent and activity levels are higher. VisitWisconsin wildlife guidesto learn more about observing forest mammals. Night hikes in national and state forests during warmer months offer the best chance for hearing flying squirrel calls. Areas with recent forest disturbance or fragmentation typically host fewer flying squirrels.
Typical Behavior
Northern Flying Squirrels are strictly nocturnal, remaining in their tree-cavity homes during daylight and emerging only after sunset. They are generally solitary animals but may share nests with other squirrels during harsh Wisconsin winters to conserve body heat. Their diet consists primarily of seeds from conifers, including white pine, hemlock, and spruce, along with some fungi, insects, and plant matter. Flying squirrels are expert gliders, launching from high branches with legs spread and tail flexed. Typical glides cover 50 to 80 feet, and they make multiple consecutive glides to cross the forest canopy. They use their claws to brake upon landing, controlling their descent and clinging firmly to bark. They produce quiet chirps, squeaks, and chattering calls, especially during breeding season and when alerting others to threats. Flying squirrels create elaborate food caches throughout their territories, storing seeds and nuts in hundreds of individual caches and relocating them using spatial memory. For more information, visitwildlife guidesto learn more.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Flying squirrels in Wisconsin are protected by state wildlife law and cannot be trapped or killed without a permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They are beneficial forest inhabitants that help disperse seeds and promote forest regeneration. Flying squirrels pose no threat to humans and are too shy and small to cause any conflict. Encountering a flying squirrel in a home is extremely rare given their forest preference. If an injured or orphaned flying squirrel is found, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. The presence of flying squirrels indicates healthy forest with good structure and biodiversity. These nocturnal gliders serve as indicators of forest quality and ecological health. Learn aboutall Wisconsin wildlifeto appreciate the diversity of forest inhabitants. Protecting mature forest and old-growth stands ensures flying squirrels continue to flourish throughout northern Wisconsin.
Species People Confuse With Flying Squirrels
The most common confusion involves the Eastern Gray Squirrel or Fox 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. Fox Squirrels are even larger with rusty coloring. The Red Squirrel, a small squirrel found in Wisconsin's coniferous forests, is larger than a flying squirrel and lacks the gliding membrane. Eastern Chipmunks are small and round but lack the membrane and are strictly diurnal. Some confusion occurs with flying mice, but flying mice do not occur in Wisconsin. Small mammals like mice and voles are far smaller than flying squirrels and lack the distinctive membrane. Raccoons are much larger and have black masks. Once you understand the tiny size and nocturnal habits of flying squirrels, confusion becomes unlikely, and their distinctive calls and gliding silhouette make identification clear. For more aboutflying squirrel identification, check state resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are flying squirrels found throughout Wisconsin? A: No. They are concentrated in northern Wisconsin's forest regions, particularly the Nicolet and Chequamegon National Forests. Southern and central Wisconsin have few or none. For more details, visitwildlife guidesto learn more. For more information, visitwildlife guidesto explore more. Q: Can I see a flying squirrel in Wisconsin? A: Seeing one requires darkness, patience, and access to mature forest. Listen for their calls after sunset during spring and early summer in northern forests. Q: What threatens flying squirrels in Wisconsin? A: Forest fragmentation and loss of old-growth forest are the primary threats, along with potential impacts from climate change and forest pest outbreaks. Q: How do flying squirrels survive Wisconsin winters? A: Flying squirrels survive by relying on food caches created in fall, growing thick fur, and sometimes sharing nests in winter to conserve body heat.
Plan your flying squirrel sighting in Wisconsin
782 verified flying squirrel records have been logged in Wisconsin, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
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- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
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