Countries and cultures - World regions - Mammals - Japanese wildlife - Japan
Which Japanese mammal can glide up to about 120 meters from tree to tree using a gliding membrane?
Correct!
The Japanese giant flying squirrel (Petaurista leucogenys), called Musasabi in Japan, is a nocturnal rodent. It has a large gliding membrane between its front and hind legs, which it spreads like a parachute when it leaps. The Government of Japan describes Musasabi as usually gliding about 20 to 30 meters, but in some cases reaching up to around 120 meters. This is not active flight like a bat’s, but gliding while losing height. Musasabi live in forests with old, large trees. During the day they often rest in tree hollows; at night they eat leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds.
The Japanese giant flying squirrel, or Musasabi, uses a gliding membrane and can in exceptional cases glide up to about 120 meters.
