Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World

Feature:
Irreplaceable Wildlife in A Warming World
Graphic of irreplacable species, emperor penguin.
We are connected to each other, to our environment. From faraway places to our own backyard. But climate change is now changing the Earth as we know it, and animals and plants from the Arctic to the Everglades are feeling the consequences.
Key Resources:

Northern Flying Squirrel

The life of the Virginia northern flying squirrel seems simple enough: Eat fungus. Glide up to 100 feet at a time. Repeat. One subspecies, the Virginia northern flying squirrel, is found only in the red spruce forests of Virginia and West Virginia.
Photo Credit:
Joel Sartore / ILCP (Part of Irreplaceable Wildlife Photo Exhibit)
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Northern Flying Squirrel

Scientific Name: 
Glaucomys sabrinus
IUCN Red List: 
Not Evaluated
Endangered Species Act List: 
Not Evaluated

The life of the Virginia northern flying squirrel seems simple enough: Eat fungus. Glide up to 100 feet at a time. Repeat. These strictly nocturnal creatures use a variety of squeaks, soft chirps, chuckling sounds and musical whistles to communicate with their brethren. The squirrel's gliding ability comes from its furred patagium, a fold of skin extending from the wrist of the foreleg to the ankles of the hindleg, that enable it to glide up to 135 feet!

Climate Change Impacts

One subspecies, the Virginia northern flying squirrel, is found only in the red spruce forests of Virginia and West Virginia. But that may soon change as their home succumbs to acid rain and rising temperatures associated with climate change. In the absence of red spruce trees, black cherry and northern red oaks move in to take their place. With these new tree species comes new competition, as the more aggressive southern flying squirrel moves in and pushes the Virginia northern flying squirrel out of its already shrinking habitat.

Irreplaceable in Your Neighborhood

The Earthjustice traveling photo exhibit, Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World, is available to bring education, scholarship and research to your community. For more information on booking the exhibit, including fees, exhibit specifications, requirements and descriptions, please contact Nadine de Coteau at 1-800-584-6460.