Comparing non-invasive survey methods for Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans) at the western edge of their range

Authors

• Jay E. Winfield, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Jeremy A. White, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 8-11-2026

Document Type

Article

Citation

Winfield JE, and White JA (2026). Comparing non-invasive survey methods for Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans) at the western edge of their range. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 46, 1-7

Abstract

The southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is a threatened species in Nebraska that occurs along the Missouri River in the southeastern corner of the state. Recently, a population was discovered in the city of Lincoln, but it is unknown whether this population represents a natural range expansion from the Missouri River population or whether it is isolated and results from a human-assisted movement. A survey of southern flying squirrels in Nebraska is needed, but surveys of this elusive species are challenging. This study investigated and compared two noninvasive survey techniques for rapid detection of flying squirrels: acoustic detectors and trail cameras. Both methods were recently used in North Carolina to successfully survey for a similar species, the northern flying squirrel. We also tested whether bait influenced the effectiveness of either survey technique. Our results demonstrated that acoustic detectors were significantly more likely to detect southern flying squirrels and detected them faster than cameras. Additionally, bait did not increase the likelihood or rate of detecting flying squirrels with acoustic detectors. For southern flying squirrels at the western edge of their range in Nebraska, acoustic detectors are an effective method for rapid presence/absence surveys.