What kind of animal is a flying squirrel? We will introduce and explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Even in the photo, this animal, which can be seen gliding widely, is different from the flying squirrel and is endemic to Japan. Since it is a very small creature, many people have never seen one, but many people actually keep it as a pet, so it is highly recommended.
What is a flying squirrel? About basic status
A flying squirrel is a mammal belonging to the order Rodentia, family Squirrel, subfamily Squirrel, genus Flying Squirrel. The scientific name is Petaurista leucogenys, and it is written and written as 鼯鼠 or 鼺鼠 in kanji. It is a very small mammal, with a body length of 27-49 cm and a weight of 150-220 g. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ムササビ |
| English（英名） | Capybara |
| scientific name(学名) | Petaurista leucogenys |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Rodentia、 Sciuridae、Petaurista 哺乳綱、齧歯目、リス亜科、ムササビ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 27-49cm |
| Weight（体重） | 150-220g |
About classification
Flying squirrels are a member of the genus Flying Squirrel, but are often mistaken for flying squirrels. There are several ways to tell the difference between flying squirrels and flying squirrels.
different sizes
The flying squirrel is the size of a handkerchief, and the flying squirrel is the size of a cushion. There are also differences in the shape of the membrane; the flying squirrel has a membrane between its tail and hind legs, but the flying squirrel does not. The tail of the flying squirrel is also longer and fuller than that of the flying squirrel.
different habitats
Flying squirrels usually prefer broad-leaved forests, while flying squirrels prefer coniferous forests, so there are differences in where they live.
Where is its habitat?
The distribution of the flying squirrel is endemic to Japan. It can be seen in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Flying Squirrel Habitat
Distribution Area
Japan: Distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
East Asia: Some species also live in the Korean Peninsula, eastern China, and Taiwan
Habitat
Live primarily in deciduous broadleaf forests and mixed forests
Prefers forests dominated by sawtooth oak, konara oak, and beech trees
Often builds nests in tree holes or old trees
Altitude
Distributed widely from flatlands to mountainous areas
Common in forest zones up to an altitude of 1,000-1,500 meters
Can be observed near cities
Can sometimes be seen around residential areas and parks where forests remain
Characteristics
Nocturnal and adapted to arboreal life
Able to glide through the forest canopy
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Flying squirrels have a membrane called a flying membrane between their long front legs and hind legs, which allows them to glide by spreading the flying membrane. Using this feature, you can jump from tree to tree. There is cartilage called spicule cartilage in the wrist, and its role is to increase the area of the flying membrane by protruding outward during gliding. It lives in mountains, flatlands, forests, and tree cavities, and is nocturnal.
Characteristics of Flying Squirrels
Body Size/Body Shape
Body Length: 40-50cm (excluding tail)
Tail Length: Approximately 30-40cm
Weight: Approximately 1-1.5kg
Stout, stocky body with well-developed front and back legs, adapted to arboreal life
Fur/Color
Back: Brown to grayish-brown, underside: Whitish
Soft fur and a bushy tail contribute to gliding stability
Face/Head
Round head, large eyes, and developed night vision
Small ears, adapted to arboreal life and gliding A shape that doesn’t get in the way when flying
Gliding Membrane
A membrane of skin (gliding membrane) exists between their front and back legs, allowing them to glide from tree to tree.
Gliding distances are approximately 50-100m, and in some cases they can reach over 150m.
Diet
Omnivorous, primarily consuming tree leaves, buds, fruits, and nuts.
They also occasionally eat insects and small animals.
Behavior and Ecology
Nocturnal, resting in tree holes or nesting boxes during the day.
Specialized for arboreal life, they rarely descend to the ground.
What is your personality like?
Flying squirrels are small animals, very delicate and timid, so it takes quite a while to get used to them. Therefore, when breeding them, it is necessary to shorten the distance over time.
Flying Squirrel Personality and Behavior
Highly cautious
Nocturnal, they rest quietly in their burrows during the day.
If an enemy (bird of prey or human) approaches, they quickly hide in a tree cavity or up in the tree.
Gentle and docile
Generally low in aggression and avoid conflict.
They remain calm when moving and eating in the trees.
Sociable
More often live in families or small groups than alone.
During the breeding season, pairs may share nests.
Curious but cautious
They may show interest in new environments and sounds at night.
However, they will quickly flee if they perceive danger.
Breeding Season Behavior
Males can become very territorial during the breeding season.
They behave cautiously when approaching females.
What is the ecology like?
Flying squirrels eat plant matter such as leaves, buds, flowers, fruits, seeds, and bark. Flying squirrels also spend most of their time in trees. Breeding occurs in June and December, and the males gradually gather around the female’s nest. They only mate once. The gestation period is around 75 days, with one to two children per birth. The lifespan is about 15 years.
Flying Squirrel Ecology
Habitat
In Japan, they live in deciduous broadleaf and mixed forests in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
They build burrows in tree cavities or where large branches fork.
They are adapted to arboreal life and rarely descend to the ground.
Activity Period
Nocturnal: Active in the evening and at night.
They rest in their burrows during the day to protect themselves from predators.
Diet
Omnivorous, but primarily herbivorous.
Leaves, buds, fruit, bark, etc.
They occasionally eat insects and small animals.
Movement/Gliding
They glide from tree to tree. Movement (distances of 50-100m, sometimes over 150m)
Gliding is used to avoid predators, travel to feeding grounds, and breed.
Breeding
Breeding season: Spring-Summer
Gestation period: Approximately 3-4 months
Give birth to one or two young at a time
Parents protect young in burrows to help them adapt to arboreal life immediately after birth
Sociality
Generally live in pairs or small groups
May be solitary outside of breeding season
Lifespan
Live for approximately 5-7 years in the wild, and may live for over 10 years in captivity
Are there any natural enemies?
Flying squirrels are small mammals, so they have many natural enemies. The main predators are weasels, foxes, and hawks.
About Baby Flying Squirrels
By understanding the characteristics of baby flying squirrels, we can better understand their developmental process and behavioral traits.
Characteristics of Baby Flying Squirrels (Juvenile Flying Squirrels)
Size at Birth
Body Length: Approximately 10-15cm
Weight: Approximately 30-50g
Their entire bodies are covered in soft down, but their tails and gliding membranes are not yet fully developed.
Behavior
They can walk immediately after birth, but cannot glide yet.
They spend their time protected by their mother in their burrow.
They grow by drinking breast milk and gradually begin to eat solid foods such as leaves and fruit.
Growth Process
Within a few weeks of birth, their gliding membranes develop, allowing them to fly short distances. They become capable of gliding.
At 2-3 months of age, they begin to leave the burrow and move around trees with their parents.
By around 6 months of age, they are nearly independent and have adapted to arboreal life.
Sociality
Through interactions with their mother and other young animals in the burrow, they learn the rules of the pack and how to move around in the trees.
They acquire motor skills and gliding techniques through play.
Defensive behavior
When they sense danger, they will hide on their mother’s back or in the burrow.
They do not attempt horizontal gliding from an early age; instead, they first learn how to move safely in the trees.
Is the flying squirrel an endangered species?
Flying squirrels are classified as low concern and their population is very stable.
Conservation Status Details
International Assessment (IUCN)
Japanese flying squirrels are not listed on the IUCN Red List or classified as endangered.
Their range is relatively wide, and their populations are considered stable.
Domestic Conservation Status
Captivity is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Decreased natural forests and deforestation pose local threats, but do not significantly affect the overall population.
Threats
Habitat fragmentation due to deforestation and residential expansion
Predation by natural predators (such as owls and hawks)
Traffic accidents due to roads and human activities
Can flying squirrels be kept as pets?
In Japan, it is prohibited to keep flying squirrels by individuals under the Wildlife Protection Act. It is possible to become a wildlife conservationist, but I have to say that it is difficult. All you can do is observe how they live in the wild. You can see them moving and flying in the forest. They can often be seen at night.
Why Flying Squirrels Cannot Be Kept as Pets
They are wild animals.
In Japan, the Wildlife Protection Act prohibits the capture and keeping of flying squirrels.
Keeping them without permission is illegal.
They specialize in arboreal living and gliding.
Living in tree holes and gliding are central to their lives.
Home environments do not provide sufficient exercise or space for gliding.
They are nocturnal and have a unique lifestyle.
They are active at night and sleep most of the day.
They are not compatible with human lifestyles, making them prone to stress.
They have a unique diet.
They mainly eat tree leaves, buds, and fruit.
It is difficult to secure food for them in captivity, making nutritional management difficult.
Health management is difficult.
Even veterinarians find it difficult to examine these species.
They are prone to illness due to stress and inappropriate captivity.
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