Mammals Active at night

Siberian Flying Squirrel

Pteromys volans

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The silver-furred ghost of the northern woods, the Siberian flying squirrel glides silently through the canopy of the Eurasian taiga. Rarely seen but widely beloved, this nocturnal acrobat is a master of the old-growth forest.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 13–20 cm (5–8 in), tail length 9–14 cm (3.5–5.5 in); weight 95–170 g (3.4–6 oz)

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Colors

Soft silver-gray fur on the back, creamy white underparts, and a dark ring around large black eyes

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Key Features

Furry gliding membrane (patagium) between limbs
Large, dark nocturnal eyes
Flat, rudder-like tail
Dense, silky silver-gray fur

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily herbivorous; feeds on catkins of birch and alder, tree buds, young needles, seeds, and deciduous leaves. They occasionally consume berries and may opportunistically eat bird eggs or nestlings.

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Habitat Mature mixed and coniferous forests, particularly those with old-growth spruce, birch, and aspen providing natural hollows.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Siberian Flying Squirrel Live?

The Siberian flying squirrel is a classic resident of the Palearctic region, spanning a massive territory from the Baltic Sea across the vast Russian taiga to the Pacific coast. Its native range includes Finland and Estonia in Europe, stretching eastward through Russia, Mongolia, and Northern China, and reaching as far as the islands of Japan and the Korean Peninsula. In the westernmost parts of its range, it remains a rare and protected specialist of old-growth forests.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

20M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

Russia Finland JP Japan CN China Mongolia Estonia North Korea South Korea

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Siberian flying squirrel is a shy, nocturnal mammal that spent almost its entire life high in the forest canopy. Unlike birds, they do not fly but rather glide gracefully by extending a fold of skin known as a patagium. They are capable of covering distances up to 50 meters in a single leap, using their flat tails as rudders to navigate between trees.

These squirrels are primarily solitary, though they exhibit a unique social behavior during the harsh winter months: several individuals may huddle together in a single tree cavity to share body heat. They are generally non-aggressive toward humans but are incredibly elusive, often remaining motionless or quickly ducking behind a tree trunk when they sense movement or light.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Siberian flying squirrel on camera requires focusing on vertical landscape elements. Look for 'landing trees'—typically large, old-growth conifers or deciduous trees—near suspected nesting sites. You can identify these sites by looking for distinctive orange or yellow droppings that resemble grains of rice at the base of the tree. Mount your camera 3 to 5 meters high on a neighboring trunk, facing the area where you've spotted these signs.

Because these squirrels are strictly nocturnal, your camera's infrared (IR) capabilities are paramount. Use a high-sensitivity setting for the PIR sensor, as these animals are small and fast-moving. A fast trigger speed (under 0.3 seconds) is necessary to catch them as they land or leap, rather than just getting a blur of silver fur. Video mode is highly recommended over still photos, as it allows you to witness the spectacular moment they deploy their gliding membranes.

During the spring and summer, you can attract them to a specific spot by placing a specialized flying squirrel nest box. Aiming your camera at the entrance of such a box is the single most effective way to get clear, close-up footage. Since they are attracted to birch and alder catkins, placing your camera near these trees during the early spring when buds are forming can also yield excellent foraging footage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Siberian Flying Squirrel.

Southern Flying Squirrel

Found exclusively in North America; has a more brownish-tan coat compared to the Siberian's silver-gray fur.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Siberian flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal, becoming active shortly after sunset and returning to their nests before dawn. Their peak activity usually occurs in the middle of the night, between 10 PM and 2 AM.

If you live near an old-growth forest, you can attract them by preserving mature birch and spruce trees and installing specialized nest boxes with 30-35mm entry holes. They are less likely to visit traditional bird feeders but may be drawn to gardens with plenty of alder and birch catkins.

Their diet consists mainly of tree products, including catkins from birch and alder, buds, young leaves, and seeds. During the summer, they expand their diet to include berries and occasionally protein sources like insects or bird eggs.

They are generally forest specialists and are rare in suburban areas unless the neighborhood is directly adjacent to a large, mature mixed forest with plenty of nesting cavities and a continuous canopy.

Unlike common tree squirrels, Siberian flying squirrels have a flat tail, massive black eyes for night vision, and a distinctive fold of skin (patagium) between their front and back legs that allows them to glide.

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