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Malayan flying lemur, colugoCYNOCEPHALUS VARIEGATUS
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Colugo": "Colugo" is the original Malaysian word for the animal. Although it is also called a "Malayan flying lemur," it is not a lemur and it does not fly - but it is found in Malaysia. It belongs to its own order, called Dermoptera (Latin for "skin-wing"), and it merely glides on the wind currents rather than flying like a bat or a bird.
Location: Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Arboreal in tropical forests and woodlands.
Description: The colugo is about house-cat-sized. It has a flat body with a flowing membrane of skin stretched from its neck out to the fingers, and then down along the sides of body to the toes and the tip of the tail. It has large eyes, long limbs, and its feet have sharp, curved claws for grasping trees after gliding. Although it is call a "Malayan flying lemur," it is not a lemur and it does not fly, but it is found in Malaysia. It belongs to its own order, called Dermoptera (Latin for skin-wing), and it merely glides on the wind currents rather than flying like a bat or a bird. Its fur is gray or brown with white spots along the back. Its head and body length is 13 to 15 in, and it weighs between 2 and 3 lbs.
Behavior: The colugo is strictly arboreal and well-camouflaged in the trees. It nests in hollow trees or among palm fronds, usually emerging at night, although it can also be active during the day. Its flight from tree to tree may last 200 feet or more, with its limbs outstretched so that the skin membrane catches the wind. It is fairly awkward climbing around the trees, pulling itself up with both arms at once, followed by both legs. Colugos eat leaves, shoots, and fruit.
Reproduction: A single offspring is born after a 60 day gestation period. Females can become pregnant while still nursing its young. The baby is carried on the mother's abdomen in hammock fashion, protected from falling out by the mother's copious skin membrane. (See the photo.)
Note: The only other member of this tiny order is a species of the same genus which inhabits the Philippines.
Go to the Dermoptera Page to get a general discussion of this unique animal.
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