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  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel has carried a few sticks of Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) back to its nest at the end of foraging to enjoy a takeaway meal before going inside.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel pausing in a favored spot after emerging from its nest, just prior to ascending to the treetops to forage. There is snow in the background. The soft, cool light is from the setting sun.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel feasting on a branch that she cut from a nearby Sakhalin fir tree (Abies sachalinensis).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel consuming male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel looking down from a tree at sunset.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest canopy during light snowfall.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • While I was photographing a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels perched on a branch about 10m directly overhead, the male took aim and peed on me. Fortunately I have quick reactions.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) grooming itself by licking its paws and rubbing its face and body.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus), recently emerged from winter hibernation.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel bathed in the cool light of an early winter morning. These animals are normally nocturnal.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel emerging from her nest in the early evening prior to departing for a night of foraging. These animals often pause like this before commencing nocturnal activity.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male grooming itself after emerging from his nest on an early winter morning. This male shared the nest with a female. The pair mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a portrait of a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male illuminated by the light of an early winter morning. He had just emerged from his nest, followed shortly thereafter by a female. The pair mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • Pictured here are two male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels. The one inside the tree has just peeked out from the nest which he has occupied with a female that has gone into estrus. Caught sneaking up to try to enter the nest to compete for the female, the male on the tree has just jumped away to avoid a confrontation.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) flying through the forest on a cold winter day. Usually nocturnal, these animals sometimes become active in the day during reproductive season.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii), a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, emerging from its nest at dusk to set out for a night of foraging. Known locally as ezo-momonga, this sub-species is found only in Hokkaido, Japan. It is primarily nocturnal. Mature females measure up to 15cm, males up to 18cm (not including tail). These animals weigh up to 120g and are capable of gliding considerable distances. During flight, they use their patagia (membranes of skin between their forelimbs and hind limbs) and tails (10-12cm) to achieve lift, directional control and maneuvering capability. One study in Japan recorded a maximum glide distance exceeding 49m, though most flights fell into the 10m to 20m range.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-at-du...tif
  • This is the Japanese subspecies of Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) pausing with a nut it retrieved from the ground, perhaps one that it had buried.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-red-squirr...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) dealing with a long branch it has collected. The branch was too big to carry, so the squirrel had to break it into two pieces. The squirrel was building a nest in preparation for reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel flying through trees.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel has just started to consume male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel is relishing fresh buds of a small branch from a Japanese elm tree (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel consuming snow for moisture after an extended period of foraging.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Just before a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel lands on a tree, the animals folds its wings inward and stretches its limbs toward the targeted tree. This serves to slow the animal's approach and also to prepare the animal to be able to move immediately upon landing.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is an Ezo red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) eating something it found buried under the snow.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is an Ezo red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) gathering materials for its nest in preparation for reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) drinking melted snow. This chipmunk had only recently emerged from hibernation and was foraging for food. The animal's naked tail can be seen clearly. The hair dropped off during hibernation.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) that has just emerged from hibernation days before this photo was taken. This ground squirrel has lost substantial body mass, as well as the hair on its tail, during the winter.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel emerging from a hideaway at the base of a tall tree. This individual was just digging its way out after snowfall had accumulated and blocked the entrance.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • The frustrating moment when a Pteromys orii volans flying squirrel passed directly over my head from behind. I spun around and pressed the shutter on instinct from waist height as the squirrel flew past mere centimeters above my head.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrel foraging at dawn. It is high in the canopy, around 15-20m, not far from its nest. The tree is a Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica), one of several prime food sources for this species. As seen here, these flying squirrels consume the leaf buds of this tree.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This male and female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels have paired up for the reproductive season. They had just finished foraging for food high in the canopy and were sitting together like this during light snow. The pair mated a few days after this photograph was taken. The male is on the right, female left.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • Pictured here is a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) shortly before mating. The female is in front. She has lifted her tail, letting the male check her status by smell. They mated one hour after this photo was taken. This perch is stained with urine, and there are feces visible. This is an indication that it is frequented by these and possibly other flying squirrels.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This imdividual was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-male-...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This imdividual was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-male-...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii), a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel. getting ready to leave its nest to set out for a night of foraging. Known locally as ezo-momonga, this sub-species is found only in Hokkaido, Japan. It is primarily nocturnal. Mature females measure up to 15cm, males up to 18cm (not including tail). These animals weigh up to 120g and are capable of gliding considerable distances. During flight, they use their patagia (membranes of skin between their forelimbs and hind limbs) and tails (10-12cm) to achieve lift, directional control and maneuvering capability. One study in Japan recorded a maximum glide distance exceeding 49m, though most flights fell into the 10m to 20m range.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-at-du...tif
  • This is the Japanese subspecies of Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) eating a nut it retrieved from the ground, perhaps one that it had buried.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-red-squirr...tif
  • This is a species of flying squirrel called Ezo Momonga in Japanese (Pteromys volans orii). It is a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrels that is found on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. These squirrels are primarily nocturnal and usually shy, though the squirrels can occasionally be seen during the day. They prefer to take up residence in holes made by woodpeckers. This individual has just emerged from its hole in a Sakhalin fir tree  (Abies sachalinensis) at dusk, preparing for a night of foraging. Their diet primarily comprises leaves, seeds, cones, buds, sprouts, nuts and berries. This species does not hibernate.
    ezo-momonga-pteromys-volans-orii-fly...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) carrying a branch it has collected for the purpose of constructing a nest.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • The Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male seen fleeing up the tree in this photograph had just been chased off by the male poking his head out of the nest. The reason for this conflict was a female inside the nest. She was approaching estrus.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest in the early morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel making his appearance in the late afternoon, just before heading up into the treetops to forage.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel had just pulled its face out of the snow. It had been digging in search of food that it had previously gathered and buried for future consumption.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel leaning down to consume snow for moisture.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Japanese flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) has just emerged from its nest at dusk, before setting out for a night of a foraging in the tree tops.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating, having assumed a comfortable seated position at the entrance of its nest for the purpose. It is clear from the dark trail below the droppings that the residents of this nest also urinate here. This is unusual. In most cases, these squirrels relieve themselves outside, some distance from their nests.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Urine drops in the snow like this are a sign that Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels frequent the area.
    pteromys-volans-orii-urine-panorama-...tif
  • This is a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels that have just emerged from their nest early in the morning during the winter reproductive season. The individual on the left is female, right male. After preening together, the pair ascended into the canopy to forage. They mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii). The one in front is male. The one peeking out from behind is female. They are situated at the top entrance to their nest, caressed by warm light from the setting winter sun. This pair mated several times throughout the day. There was another male in the area, a challenger. The female mated with the other male as well, when this one was not looking.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrel gliding across the top of the tree canopy after sunset. The moon is visible, six days prior to being full. This individual was part of a ruckus of reproductive season activity stretching over many hours that involved two females and three males.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This imdividual was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-20200...tif
  • Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) perched at the juncture of a small branch and tree trunk. This species is normally nocturnal. This one appeared during briefly during the day, but soon returned to its nest.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-20200...tif
  • This is a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) engaged in copulation. This is an extended process spanning many hours, during which the male often needs to fend off rivals while engaging in repeated bouts of copulation.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrels-mati...tif
  • This is a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) engaged in copulation. This is an extended process spanning many hours, during which the male often needs to fend off rivals while engaging in repeated bouts of copulation.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrels-mati...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) wrangling small branches it has gathered for the purpose of constructing a nest in preparation for reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) constructing a nest to prepare for the upcoming reproductive season.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel that has brought back a few small branches of an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii) to her nest as a takeaway meal.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel sitting in a favorite spot on a sunny day, looking down upon his surroundings.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel resting in a secure spot in the late afternoon.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel scratching his face on a branch while grooming himself early in the morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest early one winter morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Close-up view of a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel finishing off a meal of male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii)
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel enjoying an early morning scratch.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel is enjoying a meal of male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • These four Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels emerged from a single nest at the same time, just before foraging. Simultaneous appearances like this are relatively uncommon.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel making its final approach back to the nest after foraging. The animal blends in perfectly with its environment, a snow-covered forest. The entrance to the nest is a narrow crack in the Erman's birch (Betula ermanii) tree.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Individual Pteromys volans flying squirrels seem to have favored perches such as this. This individual visited this spot often, sometimes just to sit, sometimes to eat, often as a stopover before gliding to other trees to forage.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest canopy during light snow in winter.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is an unusual behavior. This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel had stashed food in an unused bird's nest at some point. On this overcast day, the squirrel plucked out and consumed male catkins of an Erman's birch (Betula ermanii), one after another, until the food stash was exhausted.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel flying directly overhead.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel on its final approach to the nest. The squirrel has dived down from high elevation and swooped upward in an arc, bringing it to this point, which is about 1.5m from the entrance to its nest. The animal's body is flared open in order to ascend and decelerate for the final approach. Its belly is full from foraging in the treetops.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) that has just emerged from hibernation days before this photo was taken. During the winter, the chipmunk lost substantial body mass, as well as the hair on its tail.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) that has just emerged from hibernation days before this photo was taken.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) that has just emerged from hibernation days before this photo was taken.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) grooming itself by licking its paws and rubbing its face and body.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus) has just emerged from hibernation, during which time it lost substantial body mass, as well as the hair on its tail. These squirrels eat much of what they find, then stuff their mouths full as shown here in order to store food in the nests.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This Japanese flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) has just emerged from its nest during daylight hours. Although these animals are nocturnal, they sometimes come out during the day.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels engaged in copulation during daylight hours
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Depicted here is a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels sharing a nest high up in the canopy. The larger individual on the left is female, the other male. During the peak of reproductive season, males and females often pair up like this. The bonds are not permanent though, and fidelity is not certain. It is not unusual for females to mate with more than one male.
    pteromys-volans-orii-pair-japan-2021...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel standing guard at the entrance of a nest. Inside is a female that has entered estrus. This has attracted the attention of another male. At this point, the interloper male had made numerous attempts to mate with the female, hence the protective position of this male. The two males faced off a number of times. Interlopers are sometimes successful in mating with females while the primary male is unaware or otherwise occupied.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a pair of Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels that have just emerged from their nest early in the morning during the winter reproductive season. The individual on the left is female, right male. After preening together, the pair ascended into the canopy to forage. They mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male grooming itself after emerging from his nest on an early winter morning. This male shared the nest with a female. The pair mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male grooming itself after emerging from his nest on an early winter morning. This male shared the nest with a female. The pair mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel male grooming itself after emerging from his nest on an early winter morning. This male shared the nest with a female. The pair mated 10 days after this photo was taken.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel peeking out from its den in a Sakhalin fir tree (Abies sachalinensis) in the soft light of the early winter morning.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrel male perched at the top entrance to a nest. On this day, he was guarding a female inside the nest. She was in estrus, and the male was warding off other males. This pair mated several times throughout the day, but the female also mated with another male while this one was unaware. This photo is first in a series of three which illustrate the height of the nest.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • During reproductive season, Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel males sometimes compete for females that have gone into estrus. Pictured here are two male rivals. One is guarding the entrance to a hole in a tree. Inside is the female. The other male is sneaking up from the other side of the tree with the intention of challenging the ensconced male.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) that has just emerged from its nest at dusk to set out for a night of foraging.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-20200...tif
  • This Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) snacking on a Japanese alder (Alnus japonica) flower, one of this species’ preferred foods.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-20200...tif
  • This is a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) engaged in copulation. The crack in the middle of the tree is the entrance to their nest.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-copul...tif
  • This series of six images shows a pair of Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) that have just emerged from a nest in the tree. The male pursues the female; the pair copulate; and the female returns to the nest. Over the course of a day or so, the male copulates as many times as possible. Rival males sometimes approach, which can result in a heated battle between males.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrels-copu...tif
  • During the breeding season, male Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) sometimes confront one another, usually in the context of competition for a female. Here, the one above has just snuck up behind the individual below, which made a quick turn to look up at the intruder. The animal looking up was in the midst of enjoying a snack, the flowers of a Japanese alder (Alnus japonica) that are visible in his mouth. A frantic battle between the two males soon ensued.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-males...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) shaking itself off at the entrance of its nest.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-20200...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This male was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-male-...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This imdividual was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-male-...tif
  • This is a male Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii). This sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel, found only in Hokkaido, Japan and known locally as ezo-momonga, is primarily nocturnal. This imdividual was active during the day because it was competing for the attention of a female in oestrous.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-male-...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii), a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel. that has just emerged from its nest before setting out for a night of foraging. Known locally as ezo-momonga, this sub-species is found only in Hokkaido, Japan. It is primarily nocturnal. Mature females measure up to 15cm, males up to 18cm (not including tail). These animals weigh up to 120g and are capable of gliding considerable distances. During flight, they use their patagia (membranes of skin between their forelimbs and hind limbs) and tails (10-12cm) to achieve lift, directional control and maneuvering capability. One study in Japan recorded a maximum glide distance exceeding 49m, though most flights fell into the 10m to 20m range.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-at-du...tif
  • This Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) is just emerging from its nest in the trunk of a tree at dusk to prepare for a night of foraging. Found only in Hokkaido, Japan, these animals prefer small holes to their nests, as this provides a measure of protection from predators like owls and martens. This particular nest entrance is also partially covered by a large white fungus, which obscures it from view. This animal is a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel and is known locally as ezo-momonga.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-emerg...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii), a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel. Known locally as ezo-momonga, this sub-species is found only in Hokkaido, Japan. It is primarily nocturnal. Mature females measure up to 15cm, males up to 18cm (not including tail). These animals weigh up to 120g and are capable of gliding considerable distances. During flight, they use their patagia (membranes of skin between their forelimbs and hind limbs) and tails (10-12cm) to achieve lift, directional control and maneuvering capability. One study in Japan recorded a maximum glide distance exceeding 49m, though most flights fell into the 10m to 20m range. This individual has just emerged shortly after sunset from its nest, a cavity in the tree pictured. After preening for a bit, the flying squirrel ascended into the canopy to forage for the night. While these squirrels are known to nest in a number of tree species, they appear to prefer Sakhalin fir trees (Abies sachalinensis).
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-ptero...tif
  • This is a species of flying squirrel called Ezo Momonga in Japanese (Pteromys volans orii). It is a sub-species of Siberian flying squirrels that is found on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. These squirrels are primarily nocturnal and usually shy, though the squirrels can occasionally be seen during the day. They prefer to take up residence in holes made by woodpeckers. This individual has just emerged from its hole in a Sakhalin fir tree  (Abies sachalinensis) at dusk, preparing for a night of foraging. Their diet primarily comprises leaves, seeds, cones, buds, sprouts, nuts and berries. This species does not hibernate.
    ezo-momonga-pteromys-volans-orii-fly...tif
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