Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Virginia northern flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae

Listing Status:   

General Information

This squirrel has a brown dorsal pelage, distinguished by slate-colored belly hairs. The species coat is dense, soft, and grayish-brown. The tail is broad, horizontally flattened, and there are membranes (patagia) between the fore and hind legs. The eyes are prominent, large and blackish. The squirrel has a length between 11 and 12 in. (approximately 290 mm), and weighs between 4 and 6.5 ounces (100-185 grams).

Map of Species occurrence

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Map Image Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence

This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)



  • States/US Territories in which the Virginia northern flying Squirrel, Entire is known to or is believed to occur:  Virginia , West Virginia
  • US Counties in which the Virginia northern flying Squirrel, Entire is known to or is believed to occur:  View All
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Virginia northern flying Squirrel, Entire is known to occur:  CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
07/31/1985 Northeast Region (Region 5) Entire

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 14: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
03/04/2013 78 FR 14022 14023 Reinstatement of Removal of the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
03/04/2013 78 FR 14022 14023 Reinstatement of Removal of the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
06/17/2011 76 FR 35349 35350 Reinstatement of Listing Protections for the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel in Compliance With a Court Order
08/26/2008 73 FR 50226 50247 Final Rule Removing the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
10/09/2007 72 FR 57346 57347 Draft Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus)

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
09/06/2001 Appalachian Northern Flying Squirrels Recovery Plan Update; Amendment to Appendix A - Guidelines For Habitat Identification and Management For Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus Recovery efforts in progress, but no implementation information yet to display Final
09/24/1990 Appalachian Northern Flying Squirrels (2 spp.) View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 5 of 6: view all)
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
03/04/2013 78 FR 14022 14023 Reinstatement of Removal of the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Final Delisting, Recovered
    • 03/04/2013 78 FR 14022 14023 Reinstatement of Removal of the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Final Delisting, Recovered
    • 08/26/2008 73 FR 50226 50247 Final Rule Removing the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Final Delisting, Recovered
    • 10/09/2007 72 FR 57346 57347 Draft Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus)
  • Notice Comment Period for Monitoring Plan
  • Notice Doc. Availability, Draft Post Delisting Monitoring Plan
    • 12/19/2006 71 FR 75924 75931 Proposed Rule to Remove the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Proposed Delisting, Recovered
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    05/19/2006 Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel 5-Year Review
    Delisting Documents
    Date Title
    12/01/2007 Final PDM plan for WNNFS
    10/09/2007 Virginia northern flying squirrel Draft PDM plan

    » Critical Habitat

    No critical habitat rules have been published for the Virginia northern flying Squirrel, Entire.

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 2 of 2)
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Habitat Conservation Plan for the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel: Recreation and Infrastructure Expansion at Snowshoe Mountain
    Snowshoe Mountain Resort (Camp Wilderness), Intrawest

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Virginia northern flying Squirrel, Entire.

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: May 19, 2013