Home range and activity of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in the Sierra Nevada

We measured size of home range (adaptive kernel and minimum convex polygon methods), size of nest trees, and distance to nest trees during nightly activity of 13 northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in two types of forests in Plumas Co., California. We used 95 and 50% adaptive kernel and 95% minimum convex polygon analyses to determine home ranges. Juvenile males had smaller home ranges (6.3 ± 1.6 ha) than adult males (25.5 ± 4.0 ha). There was no significant difference in area of home range by gender or type of forest among adults. Mean size of home range was 29.3 ± 4.5 ha for all adults. Most nests were cavities in live trees and snags, although some external nests were used. Mean distance from locations of northern flying squirrels to the nearest nest tree did not vary throughout the night; however, females tended to travel farther from nest trees.