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Thread: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

  1. #21
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    I'm afraid I must amend my prior under a different flying squirrel species name, for in 2017 the flying squirrels of the Pacific NW were confirmed by DNA and physical examine to be a third distinct species of North Amercian flying Squirrel, making the total in N.A. flying squirrel species three. In that members weren't sure they would be correct, for squirrels in this region have been reclassified as, Glaucomys oregonensis). "Humboldt’s Flying Squirrel".

    Until recently, mammalogists classified two species of flying squirrels in North America. But, in 2017, a third was added with the formal description of the Humboldt’s flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis). Though slightly smaller and darker, this cryptic species was once considered to be part of the northern flying squirrel (G. sabrinus) group but genetic studies and an in depth look at the penis bone changed that. Northern flying squirrels inhabit the boreal coniferous forests of the northeastern U.S., Canada, and Alaska as well as relictual habitat in the higher elevations of the Appalachian and Rocky mountains. The Humboldt’s flying squirrel is a specialist of the Pacific Slope’s coastal forests from southern California’s sky islands, north through the Sierra Nevada, Klamath Mountains, Coast Ranges, and Cascades in conifer and mixed-conifer forests.
    https://wildlife.org/new-species-hum...el-discovered/

    https://oregonwild.org/wildlife/humb...lying-squirrel

    https://www.nationalgeographic.com/a...-north-america

    [QUOTE]Glaucomys oregonensis

    ps Please be aware that that I don't necessarily share the points of views of the authors of the prior posted cache of articles in regard to the Northern flying squirrel species that inhabit regions of the of the Pacific NW. I thought to share the page as it includes the diet of squirrels in this region.

  2. 2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Diggie's Friend:

    HRT4SQRLS (10-23-2021), island rehabber (10-23-2021)

  3. #22
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    Quote Originally Posted by HRT4SQRLS View Post
    Good grief Mel, that wheel is expensive.

    This is a cheaper wheel. It is very similar to the Stealth Wheel. The Stealth wheel company went out of business.
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/1053469...on0=2191782171

    I know! But I couldn’t remember the name of the stealth wheel or the one I got from a vendor on Etsy. embar. Mine is only 12” and I think the one I posted is 15”.

    Yep, mines like the one you posted….it’s called a Raptor Wheel.

  4. Serious fuzzy thank you's to Mel1959 from:

    island rehabber (10-23-2021)

  5. #23
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    ... in 2017 the flying squirrels of the Pacific NW were confirmed by DNA and physical examine to be a third distinct species of North Amercian flying Squirrel, making the total in N.A. flying squirrel species three. In that members weren't sure they would be correct, for squirrels in this region have been reclassified as, Glaucomys oregonensis). "Humboldt’s Flying Squirrel".


    https://wildlife.org/new-species-hum...el-discovered/

    https://oregonwild.org/wildlife/humb...lying-squirrel

    https://www.nationalgeographic.com/a...-north-america



    I actually remember the day the NY Times (I think)announced this third species of flyer -- I was amazed that "our" little favorite fuzzballs made the Science News LOL
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  6. Serious fuzzy thank you's to island rehabber from:

    Diggie's Friend (10-25-2021)

  7. #24
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    Quote Originally Posted by Diggie's Friend View Post
    I'm afraid I must amend my prior under a different flying squirrel species name, for in 2017 the flying squirrels of the Pacific NW were confirmed by DNA and physical examine to be a third distinct species of North Amercian flying Squirrel, making the total in N.A. flying squirrel species three. In that members weren't sure they would be correct, for squirrels in this region have been reclassified as, Glaucomys oregonensis). "Humboldt’s Flying Squirrel".


    Glaucomys oregonensis
    Diggie, I believe you are right. I do vaguely remember when the new species was published. Based on the distribution map a Southern Flyer wouldn’t even have been a possibility as they don’t live in the western US. The first thing that caught my eye was how dark he was compared to my Southern Flyers. Also, the very long tail. I’ve always thought of the Northerns as larger than the Southerns but yours seems about the same size as mine …. other than the tail.

    https://oregonwild.org/wildlife/humb...lying-squirrel

    RoseHawk, I believe you have yourself a unicorn… Humboldt Flying Squirrel…. a distinct species from the Northern Flying Squirrel. COOL!!

  8. Serious fuzzy thank you's to HRT4SQRLS from:

    Diggie's Friend (10-23-2021)

  9. #25
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    I recalled I had the two distribution maps for (NFS and SFS) which I thought to share help clear up the identity question of species. Yet, you were right to be unsure as to the species, as it didn't fit either known description for Northern flyer, being considerably large bodies; , nor for that of the Southern flyers, for though smaller didn't resemble its appearance. I thought it might be a smaller subspecies, but couldn't recall if that was the case.

    Struggling then to just recall old files, when after three weeks of hubby going in and out of the hospital, with a major surgery in between, enough to scatter the most organized brains. Then, I recalled reading a file on the habitat specific diet, with journals on truffles, and kinds of lichens, and nodes in the structure of conifer roots. So I typed in Northern flying squirrels and found the files, but also found another intitled, "Humbolt's Flying Squirrel"; this was very familiar as I knew where this was located and remembered a copy of the map for this population, and then up it came. Now relisted as a flying squirrel species in its own right, renamed, [1] (Glaucomys Oregonensis)[/I], the third official flying squirrel species indigenous to N.A.

    Not only are they smaller bodied and darker coated than the Northern flying squirrel species; but upon being examined were found to have a bone like structure in their penis, like the North American Red Squirrel. Details, details, they're just too cute!!

    Then I realized that the flying squirrels my brother in law who lives in northern Oregon, told us about seeing giiding back and forth between the trees near the shores of the Wiliamette River during early summer evenings, were the cute little dudes. I have as yet to see one in person, but hope in the future to catch a glimse of one gliding on a warm moonlight summer evening against the Oregon sky.

    Be assured that the flying squirrels in PNW are all (Glaucomys Oregonensis), according to the scientists.

    In anycase I quite agree, it's been quite a long tail!

  10. #26
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    Hi All! Welcome, RoseHawk! So exciting to read about your special little girl!

    Does anyone think the hair loss could be molt in preparation for winter? I have no idea when that would happen in PNW. Here in SE PA my wild greys are in various transition stages.
    "I hope everyone got or gets their Baby Love today"~Shewhosweptforest

    https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

  11. #27
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    Wow! I cant thaNk yOu enough for all the info & corresponding websites- that is incredibly helpful! Takes out the guess work of quality information when researching NFS particulars; which I have found to be the most challenging part, but I am always up for a challenge! I will be sure to check out those websites as well!

    I have a couple more follow up inquiries, what sort of environments and/ or enclosure set ups do you all have? Looking for tips, tricks & insight, especially any remedies for urine odor control.
    What are you flyers schedule like?
    And! Are there any games or activities I can implement for amusement? Any suggestions for activities or games?


    please & Thank you,

    Ashley & ChiN-ChiN

  12. #28
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    Hi Ashley, I thought I’d share the set up I have for my flyer. I keep his enclosure in the middle of my family room/kitchen. His cage is a repurposed TV cabinet because of that. The cardboard on the lower portion of the doors is to keep the cats from being eye-to-eye with him. Having it enclosed on three sides limits the mess. I change out his fleece items occasionally, except his bed, to various tunnels and pouches. When I give him worms I put them in his hanging coconut to keep them contained until he eats them.

    My guy doesn’t really like coming out of his cage much. I have cats, so when he has out of cage time it’s either in a bedroom or bathroom where he’s contained. My biggest fear is that he’ll get into a closet and settle down in there and I won’t be able to find him. I don’t have the luxury of allowing him to return to his cage on his own.

    He likes to have me wrestle with him and his little blanket square. We play tug of war, much like you would with a dog. I gently try to pull the blanket away from him and he grabs it with his arms or teeth and pulls it back. He’d do this for hours if I’d participate that long. He loves his wheel and uses it daily.
    Attached Images Attached Images    

  13. #29
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    I forgot to mention what to do about the urine odor. There’s a product called Kennel Odor Off (KOE). I purchased it on Amazon. It’s a concentrate that you mix with water and safe for use around animals. I occasionally use it, diluted, to wipe down the wire inside my guys cage. It has a fresh scent, but not overpowering. It’s because of the urine smell that I use fleece inside the cage. The fleece is easy to remove and wash every few days.

  14. #30
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    I apologize if I'm doing this wrong, but I am new to the forums and can't figure out how to start a new thread.

    I have a southern flying squirrel approximately four months old. A few weeks ago she started licking the hair off of her tail to the point of severe irritation about halfway down from the base. Could she be bored or depressed? I can't have her with me very often. Sometimes in the morning and a couple of hours at night is the best I can do.

    What can I put on her tail to help it heal? I tried antibiotic ointment, but it gave her diarrhea.

  15. #31
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    Default Re: Need guidance! Northern Flyer with hair loss

    To start a new thread go to the section you want to post in such as “Emergency life threatening” or “non life threatening” etc. Once you click on that it will open up all the previous posts, just click on “Post new thread” and a new window will open for you to give your thread a title and a place to post your question.

    For now I’ll answer you right here. Has anything changed in your girls habitats or routine? Yes, flying squirrels can self groom to the point of hair loss. When my flyer was young he had self barbered the whole u deride of his tail straight down the middle along the tail bone. I’m not actually certain what caused him to do it and it never got to the point of being a sore. He eventually stopped as quickly as it had begun with no interference from me.

    Your little one sounds like she’s more determined and is already creating a sore. Clean the area a couple of times a day with Betadine that’s been diluted with warm water to look like weak tea. Use a cotton ball or a-tip to apply it. There’s no need to rinse it it won’t dry sticky and it’s not harmful if she ingests it. Try this without any other ointments since the ointments may draw her attention to it.

    Yes, flyers can do this out of boredom or stress. Try adding some additional toys in her cage. Even toilet paper tubes are fun for them to tear up. My flyer has a wheel that he loves to run on, so you might consider adding one to the cage. Be careful that you don’t choose one with a cross beam that can pinch toes or tail. This is the type I got. https://www.mygliderwheelsandmore.co...or-wheels.html. They’re a little pricey but we’ll worth the money for the entertainment they provide. It’s best to introduce it while your flyer is young.

    Please let us know if the chewing persists.

  16. Serious fuzzy thank you's to Mel1959 from:

    island rehabber (02-20-2022)

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