Nest Site Characteristics and Nest Tree use by Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in Southwestern Alberta, Canada

Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, particularly in Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, exhibit strong preferences for nest sites characterized by less canopy cover and a higher density of large snags. These findings suggest that populations of this secondary cavity-nesting species may be limited by specific habitat traits, especially in cold climates where nests serve critical functions such as thermoregulation and predator avoidance. The study analyzed nest tree use, revealing that flying squirrels predominantly occupy cavities within large snags and aspens (Populus tremuloides), with a marked selection for sites surrounded by fewer trees but more large snags compared to random locations. This research highlights the ecological constraints shaping the distribution of northern flying squirrels in cold-region ecosystems.

Patterson, J. E. H. (2012). Nest Site Characteristics and Nest Tree use by Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in Southwestern Alberta, Canada. Northwest Science, 86(2), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.3955/046.086.0206