The Largest Flying Mammal in the World, the Flying Squirrel, Can Glide Over 90 Meters
Besides bats, we rarely see flying mammals, but there are still some that possess this ability, such as the flying rats previously introduced. However, these few animals are of relatively small size, and the largest gliding mammal is the squirrel monkey. Of course, they are not true flyers like the flying rats, but glide in the air.
Morphological characteristics
Squirrel monkeys, also known as flying monkeys, are the largest gliding mammals, with a body length of 60 to 70 cm and a weight of 1 to 2 kg. Their bodies are covered in brown or brownish-gray fur, which is similar to the color of tree bark, and it is very soft. Squirrel monkeys have a distinctive feature on their bodies – a large, thin gliding membrane that extends from the sides of their necks through their forelimbs and hindlimbs to their tails.
Lifestyle
Squirrel monkeys are mainly distributed in Southeast Asia, with two species, the Philippine squirrel monkey and the Malaysian squirrel monkey, both of which live in tropical forests. Squirrel monkeys make tree hollows their homes and often hang hooks on the wall of the hole with their claws. They are nocturnal animals and spend the day hanging upside down on trees, usually starting to go out at dusk and returning to the hole at dawn, feeding on tender leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
Gliding ability
The gliding ability of squirrel monkeys is very strong, with the surface area of their membranes being larger than that of other gliding mammals, combined with their excellent eyesight, which allows them to accurately judge distances, helping them glide efficiently between trees. Sometimes, the distance of a single glide can exceed 90 meters. However, their movement on the ground is poor, they cannot stand upright, and they can only move slowly.
