There are two subspecies of the Southern Flying Squirrel in the southern Appalachians, the Carolina Northern flying squirrel, G. s. coloratus, and the Virginia Northern flying squirrel G. s. fuscus - both are endangered.. It is hard to distinguish between the two, although Northern adults
are larger (but juveniles could be confused with adult Southern) with
cinnamon/grayish/reddish-brown or blackish brown fur. Southern tend to
be more grayish, but color is variable. Belly hair differ but also vary
(Northern has dark gray belly hair at the base tipped with a lighter
color, Southern is more white.) DNA is the only way to tell for sure.
The species are not known to interbreed. Northern Flying Squirrels make a low, soft chirp, and cluck when distressed.
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