Logo: Gliding mammals of the world

The world’s gliding mammals are an extraordinary group of animals that have the ability to glide from tree to tree with seemingly effortless grace. There are more than 60 species of gliding mammals including the flying squirrels from Europe and North America, the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from central Africa and the gliding possums of Australia and New Guinea.

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel / Petinomys vordermanni
Petinomys vordermanni

Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae, Pteromyini

Description: A small glider which is very small for the genus Petinomys. The fur of its upper parts is blackish with rust-coloured tips, while its underparts are buffish white. The top of its head and its tail are brown to reddish-brown.

The gliding membrane has a buff (not white) margin. The tail is distichous below, distinct rounded above and bushy. Its cheeks and sides of its neck are tinged brownish-orange. It has a black ring around each eye and tufts of whiskers at the base of each ear.

Distribution: Occurs in southern Burma, southern Thailand, on the Malay Peninsula and on Borneo in Brunei, southern Sabah, northern Sarawak and central Kalimantan. It is also found on Belitung and Galang Islands (Riau Islands) off the east coast of Sumatra.

It inhabits partially cut primary forest, secondary forest, and is common near more disturbed replanted areas on the Malay Peninsula where it replaces the similarly small-sized Arrow-tailed Flying Squirrel.

Reproduction: The female gives birth to one to three young.

Diet: Includes seeds and fruit.

Ecology: On the Malay Peninsula, nest holes have been recorded 0.3–6.0 metres above the ground.

Status: Vulnerable.

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel / Petinomys vordermanni
Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel
Petinomys vordermanni
Distribution: Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel
HB92–120 mm
TL89–120 mm
HF20–25 mm
M22–52 g

Other species:


Mindanao Flying Squirrel / Petinomys mindanensis
Mindanao Flying Squirrel

Petinomys mindanensis

Japanese Flying Squirrel / Pteromys momonga
Japanese Flying Squirrel

Pteromys momonga

Random species

Greater Glider / Petauroides volans

Greater Glider
Petauroides volans

Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel / Petaurista xanthotis

Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel
Petaurista xanthotis


Gliding Mammals of the World provides, for the first time, a synthesis of all that is known about the biology of these intriguing mammals. It includes a brief description of each species, together with a distribution map and a beautiful full-color painting.

An introduction outlines the origins and biogeography of each group of gliding mammals and examines the incredible adaptations that allow them to launch themselves and glide from tree to tree.