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.

Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel / Iomys sipora Mentawai
Iomys sipora Mentawai

Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae, Pteromyini

Description: A dark-coloured flying squirrel which is different from any other member of the genus. Its tail is slightly distichous. Its cheeks, upper surface and tail are brownish-black, with the base of the pelage slate-grey.

The outer sides of its limbs and body and the gliding membranes are grizzled with buff. Its underparts are a light slate-grey, and the hairs of all parts, except the throat, are tipped white or very pale buff, producing a silvered or frosted appearance.

Distribution: Occurs on Sipura Island and northern Pagai Island in the Mentawai Islands, west of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Reproduction: Nothing is known.

Diet: Nothing is known.

Ecology: Nothing is known.

Status: Endangered.

Note: This species was previously considered as a subspecies of the Javanese Flying Squirrel but has more recently been recognised as a distinct species.

Flying Squirrel / Iomys sipora Mentawai
Flying Squirrel
Iomys sipora Mentawai
Distribution: Flying Squirrel
HB173–205 mm
TL185–192 mm
HF37–39 mm
Munknown

Other species:


Random species

Philippine Colugo / Cynocephalus volans

Philippine Colugo
Cynocephalus volans

Bartel’s Flying Squirrel / Hylopetes bartelsi

Bartel’s Flying Squirrel
Hylopetes bartelsi

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel / Trogopterus xanthipes

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel
Trogopterus xanthipes


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.