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Abstract

Thirty-five nest boxes were placed 4.5-5.5 meters above the ground in an eight acre mixed pine-hardwood plot 20 km SE of Bryant, Saline County, Arkansas. These boxes were monitored from February, 1972, to May, 1975. Flying squirrels used the boxes between October and May, probably returning to den trees during the hotter period of the year. A total of 30 squirrels (18 males and 12 females) were marked by ear notching during the three year period. The winter population of the study area was estimated to be between 10 and 15 squirrels. It was not uncommon to find eight or more squirrels in one nest. There were five litters born in nest boxes during the study, with an average of two young/litter. Examination of other females during January and February, together with these litters, indicated that all spring litters were born during March. Boxes served either as nesting areas or feeding stations. Nests were composed of shredded bark with a moss base and often filled a box to a depth of 8 or more centimeters. Acorns were the major food item, with sweet-gum balls, immature pine cones, and insects also being utilized. Between April and October, the boxes were utilized most extensively by gray tree frogs, red wasps, dirt-dauber wasps, wood roaches, wrens, and black rat snakes.

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