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.

Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel

Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel / Petaurillus kinlochii
Petaurillus kinlochii

Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae, Pteromyini

Description: A very small flying squirrel distinguished from all others on the Malay Peninsula by a 15 millimetre white tip to its tail. The blackish upper parts have a reddish buff, with dull orange tips to the hairs. There is a pure white spot behind each ear. Its underparts are white, washed with buff.

The outer portion of its gliding membrane is pure black to the base of the hairs, and the extreme edges above and below are fringed with blackened hairs with buff tips.

This species differs from Hose’s Pygmy Flying Squirrel in having markedly shorter ears and its colour being more reddish above. Its facial area is darker and the sides of its neck have a pure buff patch below the base of the ear. The hairs on its chest and abdomen are greyish at the base and the upper median line of its tail is black.

Distribution: Known from Selangor, Malay Peninsula. It has been recorded near fruit and rubber plantations.

Reproduction: Nothing is known.

Diet: Nothing is known.

Ecology: Nothing is known.

Status: Data Deficient.

Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel / Petaurillus kinlochii
Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel
Petaurillus kinlochii
Distribution: Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel
HB80–95 mm
TL80–98 mm
HF19–20 mm
M17–31 g

Other species:


Random species

Black Flying Squirrel / Aeromys tephromelas

Black Flying Squirrel
Aeromys tephromelas

Javanese Flying Squirrel / Iomys horsfieldi

Javanese Flying Squirrel
Iomys horsfieldi

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.