#pteromys volans

[snototter]

A Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in the boreal forest, North Mongolia

by Purevsuren Tsolmonjav

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Here's Johnny! 🐿️

The Siberian flying squirrel's habitat ranges from Finland and Estonia all the way to Japan and the Korean peninsula.

They prefer to nest in the holes woodpeckers make in trees.

#EarthCapture by Junsei via Instagram

[starbrighte]

Siberian Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans)

[thecreatureawaits]

The Creature Awaits #105:

Each week I plan to feature an amazing creature, admiring God's fantastic artistry.  Hopefully it’ll brighten someone’s day to see something new and interesting if they haven’t seen it before. : )

(Above still and video below taken by amazing videogapher and photographer, Kino Shitaka (apologies if I got your name wrong!) of the Cute Animals in Hokkaido Youtube channel)

The Siberian Flying Squirrel

Scientific Name: Pteromys volans

Region: High up in coniferous trees in Taiga spreading from the Baltics to the Pacific

Size: About 8.7"-13.4" (~22cm-34cm) long, including their long, fluffy tails

Interesting Note: This ethereally adorable Old World flying squirrel is actually very similar to another species, the Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel.  The latter primarily differs in that its fur is much more brown than grey and it's only found on the Honshu and Kyushu islands of Japan.  ...The sight of either could surely melt anyone's heart. ~ <3

[libutron]

Siberian Flying Squirrel - Pteromys volans

Pteromys volans (Rodentia - Sciuridae) is a small to medium-sized glider squirrel which is distributed in the palearctic region (north of Europe and Asia). They have a membrane that extends between their fore- and hind limbs. Unlike some other species of flying squirrels, Pteromys volans do not have a membrane between their hind limbs and the base of their tail.

These pretty squirrels have distinct, large, black eyes, and also have thick, long and soft fur. The margins of the gliding membrane are bordered with a distinct fringe of soft fur. 

Listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List, the Siberian Flying Squirrel is included in Habitats Directive Annex IV of European Union (92/43/EEC) and is, therefore, in need of strict protection. It is considered Vulnerable at the national level in Finland and also in China.

References: [1] - [2] - [3]

Photo credit: ©Vanikat | Locality: Finland (2006)

[libutron]

Siberian Flying Squirrel

Pteromys volans (Sciuridae) is an old-world flying squirrel distributed throughout Scandinavia, Russia, across northern Asia to Siberia and south along the Pacific coast of northern China.

Unlike some other species of flying squirrels, Pteromys volans lacks a membrane between their hind limbs and the base of their tail, but has a membrane that extends between their fore- and hind limbs.  

The Siberian Flying Squirrel is characterized by its distinctive, large, black eyes. They are nocturnal and prefer spruce-dominated forests for moving, foraging and reproduction.

References: [1] - [2]

Photo credit: ©L. Mikonranta

Locality: Jyväskylä, Western Finland