Den Tree Characteristics and General Ecology of the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans,) in Western Michigan
Keywords
glaucomys volans, southern flying squirrel, radiotelemetry, den tree characteristics, home range size
Disciplines
Biology
ScholarWorks Citation
Hillman, Tamara L.; Keenlance, Paul; and Jacquot, Joseph, "Den Tree Characteristics and General Ecology of the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans,) in Western Michigan" (2010). Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts. 50.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/sss/50
Abstract
Southern flying squirrels (SFS) (Glaucomys volans) were studied using telemetry to investigate den tree characteristics and to estimate home range sizes in the Huron-Manistee National forest in the northwest corner of Newayo Co, Michigan. Eight SFS were successfully radio collared, with a resulting average home range size of 7.88 ha (+ 2.91 SE). Den trees had significantly larger average diameter at breast height (dbh) than random trees (P<0.001), and squirrels showed a preference for sugar maples (Acer saccharum) over other available tree species. These findings provide important information for the management of SFS habitat by indicating the need for larger trees that can be used as den trees.
