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: 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
Status: Vulnerable.
| HB | 92–120 mm |
| TL | 89–120 mm |
| HF | 20–25 mm |
| M | 22–52 g |
Petinomys mindanensis
Petinomys setosus
Pteromys momonga
Pteromys volans
Malayan Colugo
Galeopterus variegatus
Sumatran Flying Squirrel
Hylopetes winstoni
Taiwan Giant Flying Squirrel
Petaurista lena
Temminck’s Flying Squirrel
Petinomys setosus