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**The Flying Squirrel Message Board**
	My name is Jill and I created this board in 1997 when I got my flying squirrel Charlie. He was such a wonderful pet. You can learn a lot about flying squirrels on this message board by posting your questions and going through the archives. Please keep to the subject. This board is not monitored so if you see spam please let me know by emailing oddpet@aol.com and I will remove it ASAP. About Me: Since 1995 I have been breeding African Pygmy Hedgehogs (Jill's New England Hedgehogs) and produced a DVD Hedgehogs Unleashed. I have kept a number of odd pets over the years. I live in Boston, MA.

Listen to Your Babies' Silent Talk -- Joan, Wednesday, March 17, 02:19:03pm
www.econvergence.net/batdet.htm

Flyer Ultrasonic Sound Detectors ... they are about 8 oz and a little bit bigger than a pack of cigarettes. These detectors will have the audio out jack for computer or recorder. These units have a transducer that captures 15 to 120 khz (flyer range).

$61.50 for National Flying Squirrel Association members and $73.50 for non-members. All orders include S&H plus priority mailing.

Contact Gail at: gwsgrand@centurytel.net as soon as possible as she will be ordering in 5 days.

We first saw it demonstrated at the Andulusia Flyer Festival by Michelle at her presentation. She says these units are better than the one she had. Here's Leah's summary of Michelle's presentation again:

Summary of "Ultrasound in Southern Flying Squirrels, What's all the Chatter About?"

1. Flying squirrels frequently use ultrasound (20 to approx 27 kHz)
2. Juveniles seem to take advantage of ultrasonic calls more frequently than adults (Suggests it is being used as communication between siblings and mother squirrel)
3. Adult males use ultrasound (suggests that it is NOT just
communication between mother and offspring). Could be for communication between males and females during breeding season? More work needed at this point, but an interesting & new finding.
4. No evidence of ultrasound being used as form of echolocation (to navigate during glides or searching for food). Much more work will be done with this. Not convinced this early in the process that they aren't using echolocation...stay tuned.
5. Spectrograms of calls are in waves ranging from sonic to ultrasonic (15 to 27 kHz), and generally last for 3 to 6 seconds.

More on number 4 - Echolocation: Michelle explained to us that she did not have any obstacles set up within the test room at this early stage. So, the flyers would not necessarily need to use echolocation for navigational purposes in that room. She will be doing further studies on this aspect wherein various obstacles will be introduced. Flyers have panoramic vision as opposed to binocular vision. With panoramic vision, there is very little depth perception, and that, added to the fact that flyers must navigate in the darkness through trees and are known to employ ultrasonic communication, indicates to her the strong possibility of the use of echolocation.

[Edit]
Bonding with a "rescued" squirrel -- Katie, Friday, March 12, 09:01:04pm
>Hello all! I had a question about bonding with a sfs.
> I "rescued" my Ms. Kya last August from a really
>crummy pet store where she was being terrorized and
>had rotting fruit and ants in her cage. :( Anyhoo.
>She has been our "little girl" ever since, but since
>she was essentially abandoned by her first owner and
>sold to the pet store, she has issues. She would
>lunge and bite at times, but she always wanted to jump
>on me and play in my hair...but that's about it.
>
>I felt like a bad mommy since she was all lonely and
>so we adopted King last October. Kya and King have
>been living together since about the beginning of
>December or so. King was a baby when we got him
>(about 8 or 9 weeks old) and Kya's age is
>unknown...she was full grown when we got her, so she's
>at least a year and a half I would say. I never
>wanted to carry either one of them around in a pouch
>because I thought it would be mean. I carry my sugar
>gliders around in a pouch or in my shirt...but they
>like to be that way, and I didn't know if sfs liked it
>or not.
>
>King is a sweetie. He's very gentle and never bites.
>Kya, on the other hand has become really mean. She
>"attacks" my hand when I feed her dinner or if I seem
>to be getting too close. I know females are
>territorial, but man! Her personality has done a
>complete 180 since before King moved in with her.
>
>Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can build a
>better relationship with my squirrels. I love them
>dearly, but they do not seem to love me like my sugar
>gliders do.
>
>Thanks,
>

[Edit]

Replies:
- Time, patience and a small room are the basic ingredients to this remedy, Katie ... -- Beverly, Saturday, March 13, 02:06:22am
  - Re: Time, patience and a small room are the basic ingredients to this remedy, Katie ... -- Katie, Saturday, March 13, 09:16:10pm
    - Katie: It worked with my "rescued" Rocky.....these folks know their stuff !! (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Tuesday, March 16, 03:58:38pm
      - Re: Katie: It worked with my "rescued" Rocky.....these folks know their stuff !! -- Katie, Wednesday, March 17, 05:18:15am
I have a few more of the spiral-bound calendars left... -- Leah, Monday, March 15, 04:33:22pm
...if anyone is still interested. Here are the details and a link to the pictures that are featured:

http://www.voy.com/81231/1/4852.html

[Edit]
Ripley the Fish Wrangler -- Darra, Sunday, March 14, 07:57:47pm
Ripley went to Toledo Bend this weekend. For those who don't know, Toledo Bend is a man made lake then encompasses both Texas an Louisana borders.
We were at my parent's camp wich is, of course, decorated "fishy"
Ripley was enjoying the new surrounding, exploring everywhere. She decided she really liked my dad's smelly fishing cap hanging on a hook by the front door. Next to this cap hangs a clock, whose ticking fasinated Ripley, and one of those sing fish that wiggles when it sings.
Ripley was hanging upside down from beneath the cap entertaining everyone when my brother reached up and turned on the fish. Ripley, instead of running for her life, grabbed the wiggling tail and managed to hop onto the thing. She ran up to the head that was turning around to look at her and gave it what for. The whole time I am trying to find my camera and everyone else is falling all over themselves laughing. Finally the fish dies and Ripley, having "killed" it went back to perch on the smelly cap!
Since she had proven she could do it, of course I couldn't get her to do it again for video. She was quite proud of herself and informs me that she is expecting a VERY big belt buckle for her trouble!

[Edit]
Pine Nuts? -- KJ, Friday, March 12, 01:48:11pm
I haven't posted on ANY of the squirrel boards in ages and ages! My pair, Merry and Milo (previously known as Dinky and Ariel) are alive and well, and have developed a new pastime: tormenting my cats. Seriously. The squirrels have a pretty set schedule for playtime, eating, etc. Knowing this, I keep the bedroom door closed during these times. However, I've begun spotting them peeking out of their nesting boxes at the oddest times... and only when there are cats present!

I have two cats, a large, lazy three year old, and a smaller, much more active two year old. The big one will lay on the bed, and glower at the squirrels (she's not exactly the quickest snail in the pile if you know what I mean) so she hardly ever tries to take a swipe at them. The little one, however, will sometimes jump up onto the armoire next to the cage and try poking her paw through. The squirrels never come out of their nesting boxes. I can just imagine tiny little tongues sticking out at her. "Nyaanyaa, you can't catch us!!" Of course, when I see the cat on the armoire and the squirrels out, I promptly de-cat the room.

The squirrels always seem so pleased with themselves after that... makes me wonder... hmm.

Anyway! Back to my original question!!

The kids' original mommy supplied us with plenty of nuts, and while I've run down on lots of them, I've found more around here. However, I'm low on pine nuts and haven't been able to find them at all the usual haunts. Anyone know what I can do at this point?

Cheers,
KJ

[Edit]

Replies:
- I order via Liston - here's a link ... -- Beverly, Friday, March 12, 02:04:56pm
- So confused! -- KJ, Friday, March 12, 05:48:59pm
  - Re: So confused! -- Beverly, Friday, March 12, 06:45:20pm
FLYING SQUIRREL? -- JENNIFER U, Tuesday, March 09, 07:17:29pm
I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A FLYING SQUIRREL , BUT ARE THEY EXPENSIVE? HELP!

[Edit]

Replies:
- Pup prices range from $75 to $150, Jennifer. As is true with all ... -- Beverly, Thursday, March 11, 07:42:22pm
  - LOL I just bought a small BBQ grill cover .... -- Joan, Thursday, March 11, 09:17:17pm
    - Re: LOL I just bought a small BBQ grill cover .... -- seewee's karen, Friday, March 12, 08:50:31am
      - Re: LOL I just bought a small BBQ grill cover .... -- seewee's karen, Friday, March 12, 08:53:56am
Please read, I haven't posted here in along time but... -- Kelly, Thursday, March 11, 09:20:50pm
Please take a look at my webpage. This is about my son Josiah who is losing his battle with brain cancer. Please just visit the site. I just want the world to see this beautiful child. Tnhank you,Kelly

http://www.caringbridge.org/tx/josiah/

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Please read, I haven't posted here in along time but... -- Judy C., Friday, March 12, 01:26:02am
Kolby -- Michelle Gilley, Wednesday, March 10, 01:44:32am
I'm real sorry for you loss, as I know how attach we can become to our pets. The previous reply had many good points. As a biologist, I'll give you a view to this animal's behavior in the wild. Both sexes are extremely social and often nest together. However, flying squirrels exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism, meaning in short that the females are larger and the more aggressive of the 2 sexes. In the wild, when females nest, they do indeed "kick" out others (especially the males). The daughters from previous litters will usually be tolerated during the whelping period. Reasons we have for their intolerance of males include that flysq. have multiple paternity (meaning more than 1 male can father the same litter!). So biologically it make sense for her to protect her litter by kicking out all males at that time. Also, the previous reply hit the nail on the head when she said that Kolby could have died from natural causes (it is very common in rodents to consume the parts of dead animals, but they don't typically kill them themselves). However in your situation, I believe that may have been the case. Always a good idea to separate the little guys when 1 is nesting just to be safe. Good luck with the new additions!

[Edit]

Replies:
- Hey Michelle ... how are your two furballs? -- Joan, Thursday, March 11, 09:28:16pm
Question Please -- Charlotte, Thursday, March 11, 10:10:36am
Can someone tell me when the females come in breeding season?? and for how long?? I have 2 females and I wish I knew of a way to prevent any more babies. I have 6 total 3are males and the older female is the momma. I need to know when I need to isolate the females, to prevent any more breeding.
Thanks
Charlotte, Louisiana

[Edit]

Replies:
- It's really difficult to pinpoint the "season", Charlotte, but flyer pups ... -- Beverly, Thursday, March 11, 07:27:14pm
Male squirrel killed by mate, what did I do wrong? -- Kristine Bartoszek, Saturday, March 06, 02:18:05am
Have had 2 flying squirrels for nearly 6 months. One male (older by about 6 months) and a female. Kolby (male) Sandy (female). Daughter was given them by local pet store. Found Kolby dead this evening, he was fine this afternoon. Kolby looked like the female had eaten part of his head. He had been kicked out of the family home since December, we provided him with another nesting area, one level down. Every now and then, there would be some bickering between the two, but nothing that indicated that there was serious trouble. Daughter was heartbroken as Kolby was the one that could not wait to get out to climb on her. Sandy was more shy. Looked into Sandy's house and found that she has 2 babies, I would guess about a week or two old, as they have hair, but eyes are closed. Can anyone tell us what we did wrong? Should the male have been removed to a separate cage? This is a very large, custom built cage plenty of space. Now I am worried that Sandy might eat her young. Is this normal behavior? Do we leave Sandy totaly alone?
Do first litters come with this kind of behavior? Any advice would be very, very welcome. I am new to this kind of pet...did look into information before hand but have not seen anything that relates to aggression that leads to the death of a mate.

Thanks
Kris

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Male squirrel killed by mate, what did I do wrong? -- Judy C., Saturday, March 06, 03:47:56am
  - So sorry to hear about the loss of Kolby. While I never cage my flyers ... -- Beverly, Saturday, March 06, 06:59:58am
    - Similar story -- Joni, Tuesday, March 09, 07:15:16pm
Seeking baby southern flying squirrel for companion -- Patrick, Tuesday, March 09, 01:45:50am
Hello everybody! My first visit to this message board. I am in search of a companion and have found through some research that a flying squirrel is the cutest, best companion for my personality.

If anybody is looking to sell a baby anytime this spring please let me know. My problem with commercial stores is that the waiting lists are booked through the next breeding season, and although there is no rush, I have a lot of free time this summer to bond with.

[Edit]
My Cuties are making more Cuties -- Andrew, Wednesday, March 03, 12:59:35pm
I noticed a lot of mating behaviors among Scalisti and two of his ladies (Rakita and Plumeria) the last couple nights, so I might be expecting babies in early April. I can hardly wait!

--Andrew

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: My Cuties are making more Cuties -- Pat, Tuesday, March 09, 01:31:17am
NFSA Conference Research Reports -- Joan, Thursday, March 04, 02:00:51pm
I'm going to try and summarize Tom's presentation from memory. I didn't take notes.Those of you who attended, please add to/correct my recall.

�Studying Flying Squirrels in their Natural
Environment: An Ecologist's Bag of Tricks�
Thomas Risch, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology
Department of Biological Sciences
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas

Tom has been doing his research for 6 years and he has captured and tagged thousands of flyers. The captured flyers were tagged with those computer chip after being examined, weighted, sexed, etc. His study looks at feeding behaviors. He put feeding stations out baited with unshelled pecans. When a flyer entered the station, it's chip was scanned so it was known which flyer fed where. The results I remember include:
1. A flyer's normal range is 40 acres.
2. Males tend to roam the range and females stay closer to "home".
3. In scarse food years, more male pups are produced.
4. In abundant food years, more female pups are produced.
5. The youngest birth mother was FOUR months old!
6. Best height for nest/feeding boxes was 15 feet.

Food Hoarding and Group Nesting Behavior
in Southern Flying Squirrels
Mike Winterrowd, PhD.
Post Doctoral Fellow
Auburn University

Mike looked at hoarding behavior and recovery of stashed nuts. He wanted to see if flyers recovered nuts randomly, by smell or from memory.

1. He set up a sand box and the flyers buried nuts. They
would dig up a certain percentage.
2. He then moved their buried nuts a few centimeters and
they recovered fewer.
3. He made the nuts unsmellable and repeated the above with
the same results.
4. He added landmarks to the sandbox ie bricks and the
recovered rate was the highest.

Conclusion was that flyers use memory in recovery process.

Don't we have smart babies! Leah will report on Michelle's study.

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Summary of Michelle's Presentation -- Leah, Monday, March 08, 05:55:25pm
Flyer in SC might need new home -- ParkRangerSara, Monday, February 16, 10:13:48am
My Dad used to post on this forum all the time when we were raising our babies. Jeff. And his flyer Charlie (female). Dad travels a lot overseas now with his job and Charlie needs a new, loving home where she can get lots of attention. If anyone is interested, she's QUITE healthy and active and has mastered the art of gliding (hehe) VERY well and is about 2 years old this past December. If you're a breeder, I think she's ready too (wink).

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Flyer in SC might need new home -- gwsgrand, Monday, February 16, 12:36:09pm
  - Re: Flyer in SC might need new home -- evan, Thursday, March 04, 07:28:56pm
    - Re: Flyer in SC might need new home -- evan jackson, Thursday, March 04, 07:30:33pm
      - Re: Flyer in SC might need new home -- Lucille Duniven, Friday, March 05, 12:42:48am
        
        Re: Flyer in SC might need new home -- Sara, Monday, March 08, 12:54:45pm
Still have Charlie !! (Been busy, sorry y'all) -- Sara, Monday, March 08, 12:51:20pm
I am so sorry everyone!! I have not checked back on the message board! I will read all responses and post a new message soon. Thanks! We still have Charlie!!

[Edit]
Squirrel Picture on eBay -- Judy C., Saturday, February 21, 02:45:49am
Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you all know that there is a really neat print of a flyer for sale on eBay. At least, it looks like a flyer to me.
I bought one, and it's really nice, and shipment was real quick. He does things other than squirrels, and you can see what he has if you do a search for Layton in art prints. If you pay within a short period of time, you get a note card of the same print for free.

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Squirrel Picture on eBay -- Judy C., Saturday, February 21, 02:52:41am
- Re: Squirrel Picture on eBay -- Joy, Sunday, March 07, 07:57:56pm
Rodney Knox -- Bob Wolford, Thursday, March 04, 03:29:20pm
Does anyone have Rodney Knox 's e-mail address? Thanks, Bob

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Rodney Knox -- Joni, Sunday, March 07, 04:05:20pm
FLYING SQUIRREL FOR SALE IN MA -- Travis J. Allen, Saturday, March 06, 08:35:34pm
I have a 2 month year old flying squirrel for sale in MA. I am selling him for $125 with cage and all the accessories. I will not be on so you can leave me a message at 781-216-8020 and i will respond shortly after or you can email me at allen_trav@bentley.edu

[Edit]
Flyer Friendly Vets -- Joan, Saturday, March 06, 04:13:03pm
The National Flying Squirrel Association is compiling a national list of vets with experience in treating flyers. If you know of any such vets, please send their name, phone number, city and state to NatFSAssoc@aol.com. Thanks.

[Edit]
Park Ranger Sara Did you find a home for your flyer? -- gwsgrand, Saturday, March 06, 02:58:06pm
Hello Sara, Some of us have e mailed you and posted about the flyer your wanting to find a home for. Would you please post an update on such flyer??? Thank you

[Edit]
NFSA -- Joan, Friday, March 05, 05:50:00pm
The National Flying Squirrel Association now has it's own
e-mail address at NatFSAssoc@aol.com
If you are interested in information or membership, contact the association there.

[Edit]
My flying squirrel bites -- Bobby, Friday, March 05, 02:13:48am
My flying Squirrel bites me alot, i think he is just playing but it worries me becuase what if he has a disese, could someone please help...

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: My flying squirrel bites -- Joan, Friday, March 05, 02:16:33pm
want to learn more about gliders -- rodentzruleme, Thursday, March 04, 06:26:35pm
Hi! I have researched about exotic pocket pets and own a bit different types of pets. I am really interested in finding out if a southern flying squirrel is a good pet for me. However, I have some questions which I could not find on the internet. If you could help that would be great :)

1. Do southern flying squirrels get along okay with other pets, namely dogs?

2. Is there a certain temperature they need to be kept at? And can they live in Colorado/

3. How are they with noises, namely noisy little boys?

4. What sunlght do they prefer/

5. Do they make noises themselfs?

Thanks:)

[Edit]
want to learn more about gliders -- rodentzruleme, Thursday, March 04, 06:24:17pm
Hi! I have researched about exotic pocket pets and own a bit different types of pets. I am really interested in finding out if a southern flying squirrel is a good pet for me. However, I have some questions which I could not find on the internet. If you could help that would be great :)

1. Do southern flying squirrels get along okay with other pets, namely dogs?

2. Is there a certain temperature they need to be kept at? And can they live in Colorado/

3. How are they with noises, namely noisy little boys?

4. What sunlght do they prefer/

5. Do they make noises themselfs?

Thanks:)

[Edit]
very dark urine -- Deb, Tuesday, March 02, 04:28:47am
we recently found a baby flyer - have had it now for about 6 weeks - rocket seems to be happy and heathly but last nite when he was up - his urine seems to be so dark - usually dark amber in color and very thick but last nite it was almost brown like muddy water - curious to know if this could be caused from the food we feed or could there be something wrong with him - haven't had any other troubles with rocket - eats well, plays well with us and etc. Have read this entire message board and have followed some of the advise given - thanks for all that - its been a great help - by the way we from Jax too

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re:I would get some white cranberry/peach juice and -- Bobbie, Tuesday, March 02, 07:23:58am
  - Re:I would get some white cranberry/peach juice and -- Leah, Tuesday, March 02, 07:39:41am
    - Re:I would get some white cranberry/peach juice and -- Deb, Thursday, March 04, 09:05:53am
Join The National Flying Squirrel Association -- Joan, Wednesday, March 03, 08:22:50pm
History of The National Flying Squirrel Association

On Nov. 4, 2002, Bill Goss, author of There's A Flying Squirrel in My Coffee, came to meet Chuck. Bill lives on Fleming Island too, not far from us. I had written to him about Chuck and wanted to know if his pair of FS had pups as I wanted to get a female "playmate" for Chuck. Bill called me the day he received my letter and ask to meet Chuck. Bill was glad there was another FS owner on the Island.

I wrote a review of Bill's book, There's A Flying Squirrel In My Coffee, for the Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Com websites and mentioned that I had a flying squirrel. Mary Jane Little, Library System Director, St. Johns County Public Library, read my review and noted I was from Green Cove Springs which is close to her home in East Palatka. Mary Jane e-mailed me, excited, because she and her husband, David Covington, had never met another HOF. Mary Jane wanted to get together and I said that Bill lived near me on the other end of Fleming Island and that I'd see if he wanted to join us.

On 3-31-03 the 4 of us met at my house. Here's what I wrote in Chuck's journal:

Chuck Meets New Friends
Today, we had a flying squirrel convention at the house. Mary Jane Little and her husband, David Covington brought Sophie up from East Palatka. Bill Goss brought Rocky, Bitsy and Angel. With Chuck, we had 5 flyers and my 2 ecstatic puppies (who were tied outside like dogs). Sophie was shy, but VERY curious and peeked out the entire time. Bitsy and Angel stayed in their nest box unless forced to be outside. Rocky and Chuck were out and about ;-)
Bill put Rocky in Sophie's cage and he hopped right into her sock with her. She threw him out in nothing flat ... we inspected the little wound on his tail, but he was OK ;-) NEVER mess with a woman in her own home!
Chuck was his usual sweet little self and was happy to shirt dive and snuggle with Mary Jane and David. He couldn't care less if mommy was there. The 3 of us (plus Chuck) went out to lunch and swapped flyer stories. A good time was had by all ... especially Chuck who loves everyone and is always ready to go.

From this first meeting, things began to grow. Mary Jane and I would correspond and Mary Jane wanted to know when we'd have another "gathering". By this time I had gathered the names of HOFs within a reasonable driving distance of Fleming Island and suggested we invite others. From there, The Fleming Island Flyer Festival, developed and was held on August 16, 2003. Chuck's Journal reported it:

8-17
Chuckie Threw a Party

The Fleming Island Flyer Festival was held August 16 and Chuck had a few friends over:-)

Our very own HOF writers, Andrew Watts and Bill Goss autographed their work;-)

Andrew: "Furry Palm Pilots: Southern Flying Squirrels" in Critters 2003 Annual Magazine. pp112-117.

Bill: The Luckiest Unlucky Man Alive and There's A Flying Squirrel In My Coffee: Overcoming Cancer With the Help of My Pet PLUS a video of Bill and Rocky's "Pet Story" as shown on Animal Planet.

Bill Goss did a book signing as a favor for us (and Chuck) and Ryck at the Wild Bird's Unlimited store. Ryck, the owner ... also a friend of Chuck's .. made up special bags of squirrel food and tagged it "Chuck's Blend".
A local reporter wrote an article on the event for the county section of the Jacksonville Times Union. Here's a link to view it:
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081603/nec_13279459.shtml

Here's a copy of our day's agenda:

Flyer Day AGENDA
(Saturday Aug 16)

Chuck's House
Meet @ 10 AM and get name tags
Settle in babies
Tour Chuck's playground, cage & mealworm farm
FS talk (continuous:-)
Drawing for surprises (please bring one gift, new or used, for the drawing) These gifts can be added to you swap pile if you want something else;-)
Review handout & suggestions for improvements

Roxie's House (Laurie Pray)
12:00 noon: Drinks & snacks (don't spoil your lunch;-)
View Walk-in cage & talk with master builder
Drawings continue Dramatic reading by Sara Dixon;-)

Lunch at Atlanta Bread Company: 1 or 2 PM
More chatting, eating & drawings

Wild Birds Unlimited: 3 PM
Side trip a few shops down from lunch
Visit store & view video for those who wish
(20% discount for all HOFs plus 5# of special Chuck's squirrel blend for $2.99)
Others can return to Chuck's for a nap ;-)

Chuck's House: 3:30 or 4:00 PM
Continued discussion & review of handout
Drawing continues (if anything is left -- LOL)
Awards ;-): Biggest flyer,
(no ankle weights permitted)
Smallest flyer (adults only),
Most colorful coat (no dying or tinting),
Shiniest coat (no oiling or waxing),
Shyest flyer (no drugging),
Most active (no amphetamines or caffeine)
(Urine tests will be run on flyer & HOF if protests are registered;-)
Flyer stuff swap
Plans for next meeting
Hugs and waving Bye-bye: 5:00 PM - whenever
(tell family you'll be home when you get there;-)

A woman saw the newspaper article and called us and asked to come. She has a 13yo flyer (Lil Bit) who has a cataract on one eye. She came to the house with him that morning. She had guests all day and couldn't stay, but showed up at the bookstore that afternoon and told me she "just left them." A true HOF!

Later that afternoon we had awards and Sylvia Sorg whipped out an award button for "Oldest Flyer" in attendance. Lil Bit won hands down and I'll take it to her after the Festival.
Everyone who came was so wonderful and contributed to making it so much fun ... there are no people like HOFs.

We had tee-shirts with the Festival date and place and a Flyer on it made by Christie Morrow. Kathy Crossman made each flyer a coconut hut with name on it. Sara Dixon made our name tags. Laurie had snacks and drinks for us when we field tripped over to see Roxie's cage. Everyone contributed something and made it a great time. There were 14 of us from Florida plus Gail and Tom from AL. Gail had seen forum talk about the meeting and begged to come. Since she was so close to the Panhandle and willing to drive 6 hours, we let her, making the Festival a Southern event if not National.

Attendees: Joan Barron, Bill Goss, Kathy Crossman, Andrew Watts, Sandra & Mike McInerney, Laurie Pray & Steve Pray, Sara & Jerry Dixon, Mary Jane Little & David Covington, Sylvia & Bill Sorg and Gail & Tom Savage and 10 flyers.

Cost of the one day festival: Gas for transportation, lunch on your own, items bought at the bird store and 1gift to swap

National Flying Squirrel Festival
February 27- 29 2004
Andulusia, Alabama

Held at the Dixon Forestry Summer School Campus of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Science, the National Flying Squirrel Association was formed.
Gail & Tom Savage hosted the event which 35 attended: 21 HOfs, 3 speakers, 2 speaker assistants and 9 non HOFs and 14 flyers.

The Agenda

Fri. Feb. 27

4 PM sign in & pick up name tags/shirts

4-6 PM Get Together to show off our babies

6 PM Dinner (no furball babies)

7- 8 PM Formation of The National Flying
Squirrel Association

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sat. Feb. 28

8:00 Breakfast & Late Sign Ins

9:30 Welcoming Remarks

9:45 Rehabilitation of Southern Flying
Squirrels
Leah Solliday, HOF
Rehabber with Noah's Ark Wildlife Rescue
and Rehabilitation in St. Augustine,FL

10:30 �Studying Flying Squirrels in their Natural
Environment: An Ecologist's Bag of Tricks�
Thomas Risch, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology
Department of Biological Sciences
Arkansas State
Jonesboro, Arkansas

11:15 Food Hoarding and Group Nesting Behavior
in Southern Flying
Squirrels
Mike Winterrowd, PhD.
Post Doctoral Fellow
Auburn University

12 noon Lunch

1:00 Tour of the Campus and Walk in the Woods
Tom Savage: History of land and Dixon family
Visit the house and artifacts inside

3:00 "Ultrasound in Southern Flying Squirrels:
What is all the chatter about?"
L. Michelle Gilly, HOF
Graduate Student
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Auburn University
(Michelle will be bringing her ultrasound equipment)

4:00 Flyer swap & Silent Auction

5:00 Social Hour with dips, cheese and crackers,
wine and beer (BYOB)

6:00 Dinner: Dramatic reading by Sara Dixon ;-)

8:00 ish: Camp fire with roasting marshmallows

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sun. Feb. 29

8:00 Breakfast (only meal today)

9:00 Round Table Discussion of Hobby Flyer Breeding
and
Finding Good Homes for the Pups

10:00 Presentation of Certificates

11:00 Check out and leave

Cost of the weekend (Fri. dinner throught Sun. breakfast) for 5 meals, 2 snacks and room for one person for 2 nights $112.00. Conference registration fee was $2.00 each.

If you would like to join The National Flying Squirrel Association send check or money order for $20 made out to:
Joan Barron
2344 Stockton Drive
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Include your name, e-mail address and s-nail address. A NFSA sticker for your car will be mailed to you.

[Edit]
Adopting soon...maybe -- laura, Wednesday, March 03, 07:50:53pm
Do flying squirrels make loud noises at 3 in the morning like sugar gliders do or are they a relatively quiet pet? I would like to adopt a pair but I am an apartment dweller.

[Edit]
Old Babies -- Ashley, Tuesday, March 02, 10:29:29pm
Well I just got my baby, and I was wondering, I purhased her and she is about 7-8 weeks old, and I was just wondering if there was a way to bond with the older squirrels she dosent seem to want to stay in her pouch, but lets me hold her for at least an hour and i was curious how much time I should spend with her to keep the bonding the same as with younger squirrels..

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Old Babies -- gwsgrand, Wednesday, March 03, 03:49:56am
Leah's Squirrel Calendar -- tony, Monday, March 01, 07:33:10pm

Just got Leah's "Squirrelly" calender this afternoon in the mail. My God, it's gorgeous! The photo's are amazing! I'm still wondering how she was able to get the little guy on February to sit on his butt though! LOL

I'm serious, you should consider taking this calendar to a major publisher! It's that good. We need some better representation out there! I've had enough cat/kitten/dog/puppy calenders, bring on the squirrel calendars!

tony

[Edit]
Maple Time! (pic) -- Leah, Friday, February 27, 12:05:27am
One picture before shutting down for the night - big travel day tomorrow!

[Edit]
Heading Out -- Joan, Thursday, February 26, 03:49:08pm
Heading out for AL in the morning for the Flyer Festival. I'll catch up with all your adventures Sunday night ... unless Leah brings her laptop. We'll have lots of pictures and stories, I'm sure.

[Edit]
Flyer Calendar Arrival - part one -- Leah, Thursday, February 19, 08:31:45am
The calendars are being printed and should be in my hot little hands by February 25th. I upgraded a few things to ensure that they will be the nicest quality possible, including a professional twin-wire spiral binding rather than that awful plastic-thingy, and I ended up overnight mailing to the calendar company a CD with the photographs at full high resolution so that no quality would be lost by file compression. So, even though I haven't seen the actual product, I am confident they will be really nice. I did add a couple of new pictures to the calendar at the last minute! I think the easiest way to handle this for those of you who will not be attending the Flyer Festival in Alabama is to use PayPal, since anyone with an e-mail address can do it. I've set it up to accept credit cards as well (I - the receiver - get charged a small amount for that service, but you - the senders - don't get charged). The final price is $23.00 plus a shipping/packaging fee of $3.85. Those of you who have requested two calendars, just add another $1 to the shipping amount and that should cover the additional postage and any packaging. Those who will be picking them up in Alabama next week won't have a shipping charge, obviously!

More to follow...

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Flyer Calendar Arrival - part deux (that's for you, Bobbie!) -- Leah, Thursday, February 19, 08:33:01am
  - WHUUU WHOOO!! Sent Paypal funds for deux calendars !!! Can't wait to get em!!! (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Thursday, February 19, 08:38:28am
  - Great items on the Gallery Store !!!! I'll be buying very soon! (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Thursday, February 19, 08:41:36am
- Re: YEA! The printer was able to get... -- Leah, Thursday, February 19, 11:09:21pm
  - I just can't wait !!! Thanks for the time and effort Leah! (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Friday, February 20, 12:15:42am
- Re: Calendars Have Arrived! -- Leah, Wednesday, February 25, 05:29:19pm
MORE BABIES - YIPEE !!! -- Judy C., Tuesday, February 24, 03:42:33pm
Another one of the Wild Bunch dominoed - looks like 2 or 3 pups - I couldn't tell for sure. I still didn't see but the one pup in the first litter, but then again, I didn't spend too much time looking. I don't want to HAVE to hand raise them from this age - at least not until after the Flyer Festival. (Anyhow, if I had to take those babies to Alabama I would probably end up with none to bring back! Not that I think that there would be any squirrel-nappers there, or anything. LOL) There are two more females living alone in their nest boxes, so I am looking for another couple of litters.
A gal here was going out of the bird breeding business, so I bought seven outdoor avairies, each 8' long X 4' wide X 6' tall, heavy steel frames covered in hardware cloth. And I don't know how many nest boxes - at least 12 or 15. And cages and lots of good stuff. When I get back from Alabama, I'll put them all together and be ready for anything nature throws at me this year.
We released our grey this week, and she seems to be doing fine. It sure is hard to release them, though. Even though they're better off, we still miss them.
Well, just wanted to spread the news about my new babies, (as well as make everyone green with envy over all my new avairies). See y'all soon in Alabama.

[Edit]
How Can You Tell if Your Flyer is Pregnant? -- Rhonda, Monday, February 23, 06:18:15pm
I have 5 awesome flyers and I don't know their sexes, but I have seen them "doing the deed" in their cage. One of the flyers is getting very fat, but I can't tell if she's expecting or not - are there any tell-tale signs of pregnancy?

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: How Can You Tell if Your Flyer is Pregnant? -- Joan, Monday, February 23, 08:07:26pm
Free 10 month old female chipmunk -- J Yo, Sunday, February 22, 11:11:23pm
I have a 10 month old female chipmunk that is availabe to a good home. You must be able to convince me you are serious about taking her in and I prefer somebody who already owns a chipmunk or two. This is a long term commitment - as long as 5-8 years. If your lifestyle is subject to change in the future, that would make it difficult for you to care for the animal. If so, please do not ask for her. I live in the Indianapolis, Indiana area and you must pick up the chipmunk yourself.

Will give you more details of the chipmunk upon request. Contact me directly.

[Edit]
Glidinon a charleton, obviously! -- Not Important, Thursday, February 19, 04:40:36pm
I just had to break in on this thread! Most HOFs are decent, honest, caring people. To believe a word out of this guy's mouth would be folly indeed. This delusional person (Thomas) makes me laugh so hard! What a hoot! Does he think anyone believes his statements that he earned a "Ph.d" (his notation, not mine) in nutrition, a Masters in wildlife biology, and is a wildlife cinematograhper to boot? My bet is not one of these claims can be substantiated. I DARE him to provide just one email address of one of his Ph.D mentors at U of Florida! What an frikkin' idiot!!! He is "riding on the coat tails" of another man by the same name. This Thomas Rutkowski can't spell, his grammar skills are that of a junior-level high school student, and his grasp of the english language indicates very clearly that he simply could not have earned ANY legitimate degree whatsoever, let alone post-graduate degrees! He may have one of those degrees you can buy over the internet, however. Here's his contact info:

Thomas Rutkowski
P.O. Box 1765
Old Town
Florida
32680
(352) 490-7846

Come on Thomas, give us a legitamate email address of one of your U of Florida Ph.D mentors, or one of your Masters mentors - make sure that the email adresses end with a ".edu" suffix. Give us your height, hair colour, and year your degrees were granted and we'll find out soon enough that you are a BIG FAT LIAR.

Now, get off this board! Scoot liar boy! Be gone with your deceptions and misinformation!

>I hold a Ph.d
>in nutrition from University of Florida. I have my
>Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology and I'm also a
>Wildlife Cinematographer. I spend all my waking hours
>filming and studying animals especially the Southern
>and Northern Flying Squirrel. Right now I'm involved
>with the USDA - Florida Wildlife Fish Commission and
>the Federal Goverment. My research is to locate
>colonies of flyers along the Suwannee River Basin and
>film them at night with special nest boxes and 16mm
>ariflex cameras set to film on any movement in or
>around the boxes. This is a true dream for me as this
>took me about 5 years to talk these agencies into
>doing these studies as there are none on the flyers in
>the State of Florida and then to have them pay the
>cost for this research topped it off. What a God send.
>If you remember the TV series "Wild America" I was the
>individual responsible for finding the animals that we
>filmed and how to film them in the wild with a given
>budget. The man you saw in the show, Marty, went to
>film school with me in Dallas,Texas. I always look for
>chances to educate the public about the wildlife
>around us and what they need from us. I can understand
>that saving babies is as old as man so that will never
>end until mankind ends. You are doing what you feel is
>right and I'm all for it. Well, enough said for now as
>I need to pack up and head for the dark woods. You are
>doing a good deed for people in need of help with
>flyers and I commend you for you efforts and hope that
>I can be of assistance when called upon on this board.
>Thomas

[Edit]

Replies:
- thanks for the info.....and you are who?????????????????? -- The Rock's Laura, Thursday, February 19, 07:42:28pm
  - Re: thanks for the info.....and you are who?????????????????? -- Leah, Thursday, February 19, 07:56:23pm
    - Don't forget Charlie -- Joan, Thursday, February 19, 09:11:18pm
Determining gender in baby flyers -- Elaine, Thursday, February 19, 06:48:27pm
I am wondering at what age gender can be definitely determined in a young flying squirrel - and how to tell. I recently purchased a flyer (my second) who is now 11 weeks old. I had requested a male flyer from the breeder, but I have a sneaking suspicion that little 'Nemo' is not a Nemo at all...

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Determining gender in baby flyers -- Leah, Thursday, February 19, 07:19:20pm
  - They haven't seen your pictures. LOL -- Joan, Thursday, February 19, 07:25:33pm
  - Re: Determining gender in baby flyers -- Darra, Thursday, February 19, 08:17:39pm
  - Re: Determining gender in baby flyers -- Elaine, Thursday, February 19, 08:57:23pm
New baby -- Alanna, Tuesday, January 27, 09:20:15pm
I came home today to a phone call about an abandoned squirrel. Here is my new little guy who will be rehabbed and released. I think he is about 4 weeks old........ eyes aren't opened yet...... He is a little dehydrated so have him on pedialyte.. Any additional advice is always welcomed.
Alanna
http://community.webshots.com/user/mndrngrl

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: New baby -- Glidinon, Tuesday, January 27, 11:22:38pm
  - Re: New baby -- Alanna, Wednesday, January 28, 06:37:17am
  - Re: NO!!! -- Leah, Wednesday, January 28, 09:38:26am
    - Alternate sites -- Joan, Wednesday, January 28, 01:55:56pm
      - Re: Alternate sites -- Leah, Wednesday, January 28, 08:12:32pm
    - Re: NO!!! -- Glidinon, Wednesday, January 28, 08:15:44pm
      - I'll bite......So who are you and what is your occupation ? (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Wednesday, January 28, 08:29:14pm
        
        Re: I'll bite......So who are you and what is your occupation ? -- Judy C., Wednesday, January 28, 11:36:18pm
      - Re: NO!!! -- Leah, Wednesday, January 28, 08:44:54pm
        
        Re: NO!!! -- Glidinon, Friday, January 30, 08:46:28pm
        
        Re: NO!!! -- Leah, Friday, January 30, 11:21:34pm
        
        Re: Some percentages, just for fun..... -- Leah, Saturday, January 31, 03:58:40pm
        
        Re: Some percentages, just for fun..... -- Glidinon, Inc., Sunday, February 01, 08:19:00pm
        
        Re: Some percentages, just for fun..... -- Chuckles, Monday, February 02, 12:31:21am
        REALLY? -- Chuckles, Tuesday, February 03, 02:49:40am
        
        Re: REALLY? -- Chuckles, Wednesday, February 04, 02:32:23am
        
        Re: REALLY? -- Allen, Saturday, February 07, 09:26:52am
        
        Re: REALLY? -- Leah, Saturday, February 07, 09:41:18am
        
        Leah!!!! Good catch lady....,,thanks for keeping up up on this lying squirrel trapping moron. (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Saturday, February 07, 11:29:37am
        
        Re: No, all credit goes to "Chuckles".... -- Leah, Saturday, February 07, 12:09:01pm
        
        GOOD CATCH C H U C K L E S !!!! Thanks from us all. (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Saturday, February 07, 12:12:43pm
        
        Re: NO!!! - what a joke this Thomas Rad -- Doesn't Matter, Thursday, February 19, 10:57:56am
      - just curious ........... -- Rebecca, Thursday, January 29, 08:35:05am
        
        Re: just curious ........... -- Glidinon, Friday, January 30, 08:51:58pm
        
        Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- The Rock's Laura, Friday, January 30, 09:32:51pm
        
        Re: Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- Chuckles, Saturday, January 31, 09:44:07am
        
        Re: Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- Darra, Saturday, January 31, 11:07:08am
        
        Re: Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- Glidinon, Saturday, January 31, 12:25:54pm
        
        Re: Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- The Rock's Laura, Saturday, January 31, 10:47:04pm
        Re: Well shave my head and call me Marlin Perkins....we have an "expert" here -- Allen, Sunday, February 08, 11:06:27am
      - Re: NO!!! -- Annie, Sunday, February 15, 12:20:56am
      - Re: NO!!! -- Annie, Sunday, February 15, 12:23:25am
BABIES - I HAVE BABIES!!!! -- Judy C., Wednesday, February 18, 05:35:26pm
I'm so excited I could explode! I don't know how many or how old, but I saw one very tiny, pink baby. So they're not very old at all. I didn't want to bother her, so I didn't poke around to see how many or anything. The new mom is one of the Wild Bunch, in the outdoor cage. Oh, it's so tiny and cute. Well, I guess it's not really all that cute - sort of an alien blob pink thing...but it's beautiful to me! :-)

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: BABIES - I HAVE BABIES!!!! -- Stacey, Wednesday, February 18, 06:09:06pm
- C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S O N Y O U R B A B I E S J U D Y !!! (NT) -- The Rock's Laura, Thursday, February 19, 08:12:18am
Smelly Pee -- Jamie, Sunday, February 15, 11:37:29am
I have noticed that zipper's pee has recently gone from odorless to mildly smelly. He is just over 3 months old now. Is this normal or could it be due to his diet. We have been working on potty training, but he still pees on me every once is a while, and now that it's stinky pee im getting a little frusterated. thanks fro your help

[Edit]

Replies:
- Re: Smelly Pee -- Leah, Sunday, February 15, 01:06:19pm
- Re: Smelly Pee -- Joan, Sunday, February 15, 02:27:27pm
  - Re: Smelly Pee -- matt, Wednesday, February 18, 12:40:14am
- smelly pee can be a good thing -- Nancy & Sigismund, Wednesday, February 18, 12:56:43pm
  - Boy, can I relate to that! LOL -- Joan, Wednesday, February 18, 02:05:14pm
- Re: "Smelly Pee, Smelly Pee.... -- Leah, Wednesday, February 18, 06:43:42pm

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