Red-and-white giant flying squirrel

An animal of the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, family Sciuridae. A type of large flying squirrel found in Southeast Asia. It has a patagium between its forelimbs and hind limbs. It lives in the forests of Taiwan, southern China, Assam, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. Its body length is 58 cm, its tail length 43 cm, and its hind legs 8 cm. Its distinctive body color is grayish white and red on the back, and a pale dull yellow underside that becomes whitish towards the throat. There are black borders around the eyes. It lives in trees, and builds its nest in tree holes high up, or sometimes in limestone rock cavities. It gives birth to one young at a time.

[Yoshiharu Imaizumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)綱齧歯(げっし)目リス科の動物。東南アジアに産する大形のムササビの一種。前肢と後肢の間に飛膜をもつ。台湾、中国南部、アッサム、ミャンマー（ビルマ）、タイの森林にすむ。体長58センチメートル、尾長43センチメートル、後足8センチメートル。体色は背面が灰色がかった白と赤、腹面は淡く鈍い黄色で、のどにかけて白みを帯びるのが特徴である。目の周りに黒い縁どりがある。樹上生で高所の樹洞、ときに石灰石の岩の洞に巣をつくる。1産1子。

［今泉吉晴］

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