Rodentia
(Order)
Sciuridae
(Order)
Squirrels
WV Northern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus
The West Virginia Northern flying squirrel is a subspecies of the Northern flying squirrel. They require cool, high-elevation habitat like what can be found in the Allegheny Highlands. Northern flying squirrels can currently be found here as well as to the North, up into Canada stretching west to the Rockies.
What’s interesting is they cannot be found in between here and the North. Why? Well, back during the Ice Age, these squirrels could survive throughout here to Canada, but when things started heating up, they could no longer survive the lower elevations in between.
This caused there to be a gap in their range, restricting the individuals in the mid-Appalachians to the highest elevations. Based on genetics, they have determined that all remaining Northern flying squirrels originated from the populations in West Virginia. These tiny squirrels have the ability to glide (not truly fly) from high elevation to low using flaps of skin in between their legs called “patagia”. They feed on numerous items including truffles, lichen, seeds, cones and other botanicals that their mixed red spruce hardwood forests provide.
Southern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
Just like the WV Northern Flying Squirrel, these flying squirrels are easily distinguished from other squirrels by the presence of patagia (the flaps of skin stretching between limbs and used for flying). They can be distinguished from G. sabrinus fuscus by the color of their belly, which is creamy white.
They have a grayish brown coloration on their back and a brown eye ring. They inhabit deciduous forests abundant in mast-producing trees. They reach a maximum total length of 25.3 cm and a maximum tail length of 3 cm.
Flying squirrels have a diverse diet consisting of fruits, seeds, and nuts, along with insects and occasionally fungi. They are Nocturnal creatures, and have great abilities to find their nests if relocated.
Groundhog
Marmota monax
The Groundhog is the largest member of the squirrel family in the Blackwater River shed and famously known for predicting the length of winter based on its shadow.
They have thick brown fur with a slightly lighter belly, -along with long claws, small eyes and a blunt head. They inhabit meadows, fields, and forest edges. Groundhogs are an important contributor to the maintenance of healthy soils. They are also known for Whistling, to communicate threats to their young or other groundhogs.
Groundhogs like other squirrels are primarily herbivorous. Consuming vegetation such as wild grasses, berries, bark, and leaves.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
The Eastern Gray Squirrel is primarily gray with white fur on the chin throat and belly. They have extremely bushy tails and are commonly seen. They inhabit deciduous forests with dense understories. They reach a maximum total length of 53.8 cm and a maximum tail length of 24.8 cm.
Eastern gray squirrels are known as “scatter-hoarders” meaning they hoard food, in caches throughout various places to unearth later. Some are left for months, others aremore temporary
Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
The Mink is easily distinguished from the other weasels by their uniform chocolate-brown color, busy tail, and aquatic tendencies. They reach a maximum total length of 68.4 cm and tail length of 15-23.5 cm. They’re active year-round and primarily nocturnal.
Mink live near water and are usually found near riverbanks, lakes, and marshes. Preying on aquatic life, such as fish, crayfish, small mammals, small birds, and eggs.
Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
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Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
A large member of the weasel family, Fishers have dark brown fur and bushy tails. They have short legs and white-tipped fur on the neck and throat.
They are carnivorous feeding on a number of small mammals, with a preference for North American Porcupines. They reach a maximum total length of around 1 meter, and a tail length of 32-42.2 cm.