Introduction | 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.

Random species

Biak Glider
Petaurus biacensis

Flying Squirrel
Iomys sipora Mentawai

Gray-headed Giant Flying Squirrel
Petaurista caniceps

Lord Derby’s Scaly-tailed Flying Squirrel
Anomalurus derbianus

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.