Flying squirrel

Driving out of a conservation area I saw a tabby cat in the road. I stopped the car near the cat and a tiny squirrel jumped up and the cat swatted at it. I quickly got out of the car to try and keep the cat from getting at the squirrel. I was able to shoo the cat away but it didn't go far. The small animal was frightened but seemed uninjured.

I believe this is a southern flying squirrel (G. volans) due to its small size. You can see its body is about the same length as a birch leaf. Northern flying squirrels (G. sabrinus) are larger (10 to 13.5 inches long) than southern flying squirrels (8 to 10 inches long).

October 24, 2011.