Colugo

Daniela Špirková

Many of you have probably at least once in your life heard of something as a flying squirrel, but do you know there is also an animal called "flying lemur"? I didn't know before writing this article either and that's why I want to provide you with some interesting facts about this extraordinary creature.

First, we have to clear something up. Despite the fact that people call this mammal a flying lemur, it is not actually a lemur. The only reason for this incorrect nickname is their connection to primates, who are their close relatives, but the real name of this animal is Colugo. As for the flying part, it is true that they can "fly" from one tree to another, but of course it's not that simple.

These cute creatures have flaps of skin between their limbs and also between their back legs and tail. Thanks to that, they can glide through the air, usually from higher tree branches to the lower ones. However, they can supposedly fly as far as 70 meters, Malayan Colugo can even beat the incredible distance of 150 meters and they should be able to keep their altitude at a similar level the whole "flight". It is also said, that Colugos are the best gliders of all gliding mammals.

Now that you know something about them, you might be wondering, whether there is something else worth your attention. As far as their lifestyle is concerned, there is nothing that much peculiar. They are herbivores living in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, they are active at night and they sleep through the day in tree hollows. What is a little more interesting, is that they are not great climbers. But I guess when they are that talented in gliding, they cannot be so gifted in other areas. However, besides flying what I find most interesting about them, is that because their newborns are underdeveloped and they spend a long time clinging to their mother's belly after birth. And there is the cutest fact - the Colugo mother curls her tail and folds her membrane around her young so the little Colugo is warm and comfortable. Isn't it amazing, how caring they are?

I hope you enjoyed getting to know this extraordinary, talented, cute and tender animal. I think it is great to learn some new interesting things and imagine telling your friends about this cute, best-gliding mammal. And also please don't forget, that it shouldn't be called a "flying lemur", the right term is Colugo.