Siberian flying squirrel

The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) is a rodent belonging to the Sciuridae family. While protected in many regions due to its conservation status, in commercial forestry and nursery settings, it is sometimes recognized for causing damage to young forest stands, making it an object of interest for forest management and pest control strategies.

The diet of the flying squirrel consists mainly of buds, young shoots, and the bark of various tree species. Birch, alder, aspen, and several coniferous species are particularly vulnerable to their feeding habits. During food shortages, especially in late winter and early spring, these rodents can cause significant damage by gnawing on the bark of young seedlings.

The biology of Pteromys volans is characterized by a strictly nocturnal lifestyle and the ability to glide between trees using the patagium, a skin membrane between its limbs. They typically breed once or twice a year, and their high mobility allows them to inhabit large forest areas, making it difficult to control their impact on specific agricultural or forestry sites.

The primary damage includes the consumption of terminal buds, which can stunt tree growth and lead to stem deformation, and bark stripping, which exposes the cambium. Such injuries not only hinder the healthy development of saplings but also weaken the trees, making them susceptible to secondary infections by pathogens and boring insects.

Management strategies for preventing damage from Siberian flying squirrels focus on deterrence and physical protection. Effective methods include:

• Applying taste-aversion repellents to the stems of vulnerable saplings.
• Installing tree guards or mechanical barriers in nurseries.
• Maintaining areas with existing tree hollows to provide natural nesting sites.
• Implementing buffer zones between natural forests and managed plantations.