Abstract
We examined the nest-tree preferences of northern flying squirrels (
Glaucomys sabrinus) in an old-growth, mixed-conifer and red fir (
Abies magnifica) forest of the southern Sierra Nevada of California. We tracked 27 individuals to 122 nest trees during 3 summers. Flying squirrels selected nest trees that were larger in diameter and taller than either random trees or large (>50-cm diameter at breast height) nearest-neighbor trees. Snags were used more often than live trees relative to their availability. Nest trees were usually close to riparian habitat; 86% of nest trees were <150 m from a perennial creek. Flying squirrels selected red fir and avoided incense cedar (
Calocedrus decurrens). Mean distances between nest trees and size of core-nest areas were greater for males than for females. No detectable relationship was found between size of core-nest area and distance to a perennial creek. These results suggest that flying squirrels of the Sierra Nevada may require large trees and snags within 150 m of perennial creeks for their critical habitat needs.
Keywords
Glaucomys sabrinus,
nest trees,
radiotelemetry,
riparian habitat,
Sierra Nevada,
snags
Citation
Meyer, Marc D.; Kelt, Douglas A.; North, Malcolm P. 2005. Nest trees of northern flying squirrels in the Sierra Nevada. Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 86(2): 275-280