Hey guys! New member looking to purchase a flyer.

[MacWoodard]

Hey guys! Ivery been researching flying squirrels for a while, I really want one. BUT I can't seem to find some anywhere!!!!
I would like a male baby, preferebly below 8-10 weeks...
If any of you guys know breeders or individuals that are looking to sell, direct them my way :)
I know it's a big commitment and I'm okay with that.
Well, I hope I wI'll have alot of my questions answered here in the future.
thanks!!

[stepnstone]

Hey guys! Ivery been researching flying squirrels for a while, I really want one. BUT I can't seem to find some anywhere!!!!
I would like a male baby, preferebly below 8-10 weeks...
If any of you guys know breeders or individuals that are looking to sell, direct them my way :)
I know it's a big commitment and I'm okay with that.
Well, I hope I wI'll have alot of my questions answered here in the future.
thanks!!

Maybe the reason you can't seem to find flyers is due to it being
illegal (I believe in most States) to breed and sell flying squirrels.
Maybe you are confusing flying squirrels with Sugar gliders that
can be found in some pet stores and are legal to possess.

[farrelli]

However, we do sometimes have flyers who need homes here, so if you stick around, you might get lucky. I think we currently have some in TX looking for a home. Too bad you're not there.

[MacWoodard]

Maybe the reason you can't seem to find flyers is due to it being
illegal (I believe in most States) to breed and sell flying squirrels.
Maybe you are confusing flying squirrels with Sugar gliders that
can be found in some pet stores and are legal to possess.

Nope..I know the difference between a flyer and a glider..how do people get them as pets then?

[farrelli]

Usually by rescue. When we get them here, it's very hard to release them as singletons (they're colony animals) and people end up keeping them as pets or finding someone who will. Spring and summer are the biggest time for orphans.

[stepnstone]

You must realize regardless of circumstance how one has acquired
a flying squirrel or just about any wild squirrel breed, rescue or not
does not change the legalities. Possession is still illegal.

Ultimately it is an individual's choice, knowing the legalities of one's
State should be taken in consideration when making the decision to keep
a wild animal. If one was to get turned in people get fined, the animal
gets euthanized.

[Milo's Mom]

Might I suggest this thread get moved OUT of the public view due to some of the comments made. There are already guests reading this.......

[Annabelle's papa]

You must realize regardless of circumstance how one has acquired
a flying squirrel or just about any wild squirrel breed, rescue or not
does not change the legalities. Possession is still illegal.

Ultimately it is an individual's choice, knowing the legalities of one's
State should be taken in consideration when making the decision to keep
a wild animal. If one was to get turned in people get fined, the animal
gets euthanized.



As stepnstone stated, "euthanized", you may lose the affection you build for the little soul, however, the squirrel pays the ultimate price. If a "pocket pet type animal" is what you're really interested in, please look into a PAIR of Sugar Gliders. Animals of this size do much better in Pairs, you can seek out Medical Care when needed, (Taking a WILD animal to most Vets. results in confiscation) and they are less fragile. All Squirrel species have very strict Diets that must be followed, or they Will Die Painfully. Most of the Legitimate Dealers on the web stopped selling Flyers a long while ago, due to these very reasons. And without trying to make a broad statement pertaining to Everyone on TSB, no one on this site has a "Pet Squirrel." Meaning, The Good Folks Here are Longtime Experienced Wildlife Caretakers, who Hand Raise Orphaned Babies and Give Needed Medical Treatment To Injured Animals With The Goal Of Reintroducing Them Back Into Nature. On occasion some of these little Beings are too Compromised to make it on their own,(Because of Missing Limbs, Blindness, or even Neurological Issues) and therefore must be taking care of The Rest Of Their Lives.

[pixiepoo]

I just wanted to mention that even in some states where it is legal to own flyers it is not legal to breed them without a permit. Most places that you find selling baby flyers have either 1)taken these poor babies out of the wild 2) taken a wild female or pair or 3) illegally breeding their own pets with little to zero research. Most "breeders" don't keep them in good conditions and feed them awful diets resulting in sick or dying flyers. I suppose I am just warning you to be cautious even if you do find someone selling flyers.

[TubeDriver]

As stepnstone stated, "euthanized", you may lose the affection you build for the little soul, however, the squirrel pays the ultimate price. If a "pocket pet type animal" is what you're really interested in, please look into a PAIR of Sugar Gliders. Animals of this size do much better in Pairs, you can seek out Medical Care when needed, (Taking a WILD animal to most Vets. results in confiscation) and they are less fragile. All Squirrel species have very strict Diets that must be followed, or they Will Die Painfully. Most of the Legitimate Dealers on the web stopped selling Flyers a long while ago, due to these very reasons. And without trying to make a broad statement pertaining to Everyone on TSB, no one on this site has a "Pet Squirrel." Meaning, The Good Folks Here are Longtime Experienced Wildlife Caretakers, who Hand Raise Orphaned Babies and Give Needed Medical Treatment To Injured Animals With The Goal Of Reintroducing Them Back Into Nature. On occasion some of these little Beings are too Compromised to make it on their own,(Because of Missing Limbs, Blindness, or even Neurological Issues) and therefore must be taking care of The Rest Of Their Lives.

:goodpost Step and Annabelle are 100% right.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 MacWoodard
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I looked up Tennessee laws regarding owning squirrels.
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_state.php?s=tn
I might be wrong so I would suggest you research this to confirm but it appears it is legal to own a Class 3 animal in Tennessee. Rodents(including squirrels) are in this class. I would assume that includes flying squirrel.
I would definitely recommend that you check this out and NOT rely on my brief search. If you confirm their legality in your state I would also recommend that you research the availability of vet care. Even if they are legal, most vets will not treat them as they don't have specific training. I would recommend a vet that treats exotics or pocket pets.

Yes, many here do own flying squirrels as pets. I have three. I love them dearly BUT they are NOT a pet for everyone. They will literally change your life. Their nocturnal nature makes them unacceptably pets for most people. They wake up between 7PM-11PM and they are ready to rock and roll. That's when most people are getting ready for bed. When you get up in the morning they are turning in. Their diet is complex and expensive. I spend more on my flyers diet than I do for myself. :tilt

The reason I tell you this is not to discourage you from having a flyer but to encourage you to do your homework BEFORE you get one. They are wonderful pets. They love their owner. I have seen too many people get a flyer thinking that they just HAD to have one and then months down the road discover that this wasn't what they had bargained for and now they want to rehome them. It really makes me sad.

There are at least 2 breeders in Texas that I know of and I know there is a guy on here in the Flyer breeder section that occasionally posts about available flyers. SO, my recommendation is for you to do your homework.

Just as a bit of added info, it is illegal in all states to take wildlife from nature. It is also illegal to breed them for sale without a USDA license. Occasionally they come up on Craigslist but these are usually illegal breeders or 'nest robbers'. I certainly want to see these babies rescued but I don't want to encourage this practice.

Good luck to you! :thumbsup