All of us love cute and tiny animals. And especially those rare ones that can only be found somewhere on the island. One of the world’s cutest animal is the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel. The adorable Ezo Momonga is a type of flying squirrel unique to Hokkaido island in Japan (northern Japanese island known to be a home to these adorable creatures).
Their huge and dark eyes and little paws are so cute that it has become a local mascot of sorts, appearing on the regional railway’s refillable ticket cards. They prefer boreal, evergreen forests, they naturally exist nowhere else on the planet. Flying squirrels, of various species, have inhabited various parts of Asia for around 160 million years. America also has its own flying squirrel.
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Image credits: Pop Shiretoko
A male is called a “buck”, a female is called a “doe”, and a baby is called a pup, kit, or kitten. Primary foods include nuts, seeds, tree bark, fruits, and insects.
These squirrels are nocturnal (active at night). Their huge, soul staring eyes allow for excellent night vision.
Flying is an overstatement. They actually glide up to 300 feet! They accomplish this gliding skill via a specialized membrane called a patagium. They are nuts about nuts.
Did you know…?
To add to their Pokemon appearance, these critters actually have glow-in-the-dark bellies! It is not certain why this is or to what purpose it serves.
Image credits: Pop Shiretok
Image credits: Masatsugu Ohashi
Image credits: Pop Shiretoko
Image credits: Masa Nakamura
Image credits: Masatsugu Ohashi