Northern flying squirrel perched on a tree stump in the evening. Photo by Charlie Snow

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife: Did you know that we have a species of flying squirrel in Washington?

Meet the Northern flying squirrel! These are Washington’s smallest species of tree squirrel at 10-12 inches in length. They are rich brown or dark gray above and creamy white on their undersides. Their eyes are dark and large, and their tails are wide and flat. These nocturnal gliders are surprisingly common, yet are seldom seen in their forest homes throughout the state.

Winter is the best time to spot the large, spherical nests built by squirrels in deciduous trees. If you’re looking for a way to attract more flying squirrels to your space, try using one of our printable nest box designs: https://wdfw.wa.gov/…/files/2019-11/squirrel_nestbox.pdf