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.
Order: Rodentia
Family: Anomaluridae
Description: A small anomalure whose upper surface varies from near black, grizzled grey to mottled tan or olive-brown. The membrane adjoining the tail is usually yellower while the lateral membranes are dark grey.
The head is grey without borders around the ears. The underside is pale yellowish-white, without a tinge of rufous, as are the bristles covering the hind claws.
Distribution: Occurs in central African rainforest from the high forests of Cameroon, south-western Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (= Zaire) to western Uganda and north-west shore of Lake Tanganyika. There is an isolated population in west Liberia on the Du River. The habitat is limited to forests in plains and mountains up to 2000 metres.
Reproduction: Nothing is known.
Diet: Includes bark and fruits. The drupes of parasol trees (Musanga sp.) have been recorded as a source of food.
Ecology: Population density has been found to be only five individuals per square kilometre.
Status: Least Concern.
| HB | 185–255 mm |
| TL | 120–200 mm |
| HF | 37–51 mm |
| M | 170–300 g |
Anomalurus derbianus
Anomalurus pelii
Idiurus macrotis
Idiurus zenkeri
Yellow-bellied Glider
Petaurus australis
Flying Squirrel
Iomys sipora Mentawai
Hainan Giant Flying Squirrel
Petaurista hainana
Japanese Flying Squirrel
Pteromys momonga