Flying mouse

The flying mice, also known as the pygmy scaly-tails, pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrels, or pygmy anomalures are not true mice, not true squirrels, and are not capable of true flight.^[1] These unusual rodents are essentially miniaturized versions of anomalures and are part of the same sub-Saharan African radiation of gliding mammal.

Flying mouse
Pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Anomaluridae
Genus:	Idiurus Matschie, 1894
Type species
Idiurus zenkeri Matschie, 1894
Species
Idiurus macrotis Idiurus zenkeri

Characteristics

These animals resemble mice with gliding membranes and long, sparsely-haired tails. Their appearance is similar to some marsupial gliders. They are less than 10 cm (4 inches) in head and body length and weigh 14-35 grams (1/2 - 1.2 oz). They have a morphologically specialized tongue.^[2]

Flying mice are nocturnal and are found in the poorly explored tropical forests of central (and to a lesser extent western) Africa. Little is known of their habits as a result. It has been suggested that one or both species may live in colonies of dozens of individuals. Bats may also be found sharing these tree-hollow colonies.

Species

• Long-eared flying mouse (Idiurus macrotis)
• Pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel (Idiurus zenkeri)

See also

• Gliding mammal