Johnson County Flying Squirrels
Location
CoLab, COM 177
Start Date
30-4-2026 9:30 AM
Document Type
Poster
Description
Not a lot is known about the flying squirrel population in Johnson County. The project will compare the research that began last year (2025) to this year's findings with the goal of gaining insight on the species through increased activity in the area. This research is being done to see if flying squirrel habitats are experiencing disturbance and if so how they are coping with that. Researchers want to know if Johnson County is a viable habitat for flying squirrels and what elements of the environment would allow for the flying squirrel population to thrive. The researcher will conduct the experiment by changing what bait is in front of the trail cameras that are set up at Cedar Niles and Shawnee Mission Parks and seeing how the flying squirrel activity compares and contrasts at each site. Researchers expect to find a difference in camera activity paired with different bait but do not expect to see a difference between the sites. Researchers studying flying squirrels will be able to use the findings to better understand what flying squirrels are attracted to develop a deeper analysis of the species. Through this research, land managers can analyze flying squirrel habitat needs and preferences, allowing for maintenance of preferential areas.
Image
Johnson County Flying Squirrels
CoLab, COM 177
Not a lot is known about the flying squirrel population in Johnson County. The project will compare the research that began last year (2025) to this year's findings with the goal of gaining insight on the species through increased activity in the area. This research is being done to see if flying squirrel habitats are experiencing disturbance and if so how they are coping with that. Researchers want to know if Johnson County is a viable habitat for flying squirrels and what elements of the environment would allow for the flying squirrel population to thrive. The researcher will conduct the experiment by changing what bait is in front of the trail cameras that are set up at Cedar Niles and Shawnee Mission Parks and seeing how the flying squirrel activity compares and contrasts at each site. Researchers expect to find a difference in camera activity paired with different bait but do not expect to see a difference between the sites. Researchers studying flying squirrels will be able to use the findings to better understand what flying squirrels are attracted to develop a deeper analysis of the species. Through this research, land managers can analyze flying squirrel habitat needs and preferences, allowing for maintenance of preferential areas.
Comments
The faculty mentor for this project was Stephanie Ferrero.