Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus habitat and nest box use in West Virginia with management recommendations for Kumbrabow State Forest

Nest site selection and habitat use of the endangered West Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is poorly understood. Because access to suitable nesting sites and habitats could be limiting factors, it is important to investigate these ecological requirements to further conservation efforts of the species. My study was conducted on the Kumbrabow State Forest and the MeadWestvaco Wildlife and Ecological Research Forest in Randolph County, West Virginia. I examined characteristics of 31 nest sites (22 cavity; 8 leaf; 1 undetermined) from 4 radio-collared West Virginia northern flying squirrels during the summers of 2002--2003. The nest trees used were similar (P > 0.05) to random trees within their homeranges.; Nest boxes have been used in West Virginia since 1986 to supply the West Virginia northern flying squirrel with additional nest sites and as a means of capturing flying squirrels during periodic checks. The success of these boxes is low (1.5%), suggesting that naturally occurring nest sites may not be limiting in the locations. Using vegetation, elevation, and the West Virginia northern flying squirrel likelihood of presence model, I created a logistic model to predict nest box success. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...