Close Encounter Between Flying Squirrel, Fox In VA Caught On Video

FAIRFAX, VA — An early morning encounter beween a fox and a flying squirrel was recorded Monday by a Ring camera, as it visited the home of a Patch reporter who lives just north of Fairfax City. See the video below.

The family puts out food and treats for Popeye, a community cat that lives in the storm drains of their neighborhood. Almost every night, Popeye can be seen eating the treats and drinking the water left out for him on the windowsill of the home.

The camera also records visits by foxes, squirrels, birds, and the occasional raccoon. Some of those earlier visits have been posted on Patch. One time, the camera showed Popeye chasing off a fox that had gotten too close to his bowl.

At 12:39 a.m., the fox can be heard munching on treats, when about 9 seconds later, a white shape darts into the bottom right corner of the video, before disappearing momentarily. This causes the fox to stop eating and emerge in the left corner of the video.

The flying squirrel leaps unto the ledge under the front window, turns around, and soars to the bush above the small pet house. The white shape can then be seen gliding back and forth before disappearing. The last section of the squirrel's visit is then shown in slow motion.

Also See: Flying Squirrel Caught On Video Visiting Fairfax Home Early Wednesday

A freeze-frame of the video shows a rectangular shape with bands of white on the two long sides. These are the flaps that connect the front and back legs of a Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel, which it uses to soar from tree to tree.

The nocturnal animal feeds from crevices and the crotches of trees during the winter, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Services. The species has been declared endangered and close to extirpation in Virginia, meaning that it would no longer exist in the wild in the state.

Also See: Flying Squirrel Captured On Video Visiting Fairfax Home To Grab A Midnight Snack

Although the Ring camera has captured white shapes darting briefly in front of the camera, the last time it recorded the distinctive rectangular shape of a flying squirrel was in February 2024. The rare animal was spotted twice in previous years, including a short stop on the family's windowsill.

The family has noticed one of Popeye's ears has been clipped, which indicates he has previously been trapped, neutered and then released. This is done because it's difficult to domesticate some feral cats. Rather than euthanizing them, the cats are caught and then altered, as a way to minimize the number of feral kittens born in the county.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter has information on its website about community cats and its trap, neuter and release program.

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