Southern flying squirrels glide rather than fly, using a loose fold of skin between their limbs to coast between trees after dark. Because they’re active only at night and rarely visit bird feeders in daylight, most people who share woods with this species never actually see one.
Illinois’ 178 records since 2000 center on Cook County, which holds half of them, with DuPage and Lake counties next and scattered reports as far south as Pulaski and Union counties. Records run higher from August through November, a fall bump that likely tracks increased feeder visits and nut caching rather than any seasonal change in the squirrel itself.
The species is native across Illinois and NatureServe lists it as secure, a status that hasn’t required any special conservation attention in the state.
