Flying Lemur/Colugo (Cynocephalus variegatus)

Order: DERMOPTERA

Family: CYNOCEPHALIDAE

There are only two colugos or flying lemurs, one confined to the southern Philippines and the other to Borneo and elsewhere in south-east Asia. They cannot fly, but glide with the aid of membranes between the legs. The teeth are highly specialised and unlike those of any other mammal. There are no teeth at the front of the upper jaw and the two pairs of lower front teeth look like finely-toothed combs.

Measurements: HB 344-375, T 241-245, HF 65-73, Wt 925-1300 g/kg (2 specimens).

Identification: Most colugos are grey with heavy black and white markings, but some individuals are tinged reddish-brown or are totally reddish-brown with few markings. In the field, the most distinctive feature is the gliding membrane, which extends between the front and hind legs, and encloses the tail. Often carries small young, sometimes wrapped in the gliding membrane.

Similar species: large flying squirrels have a relatively long tail completely free of an enclosing membrane.

Ecology and Habitat: Nocturnal but sometimes active in the morning and late afternoon. Usually noticed when clinging to the side of a tree trunk or gliding between tall trees. Rests both in tree holes and in the crowns of trees. The form of the teeth suggests a diet including sap from plants. At Poring (eastern foothills of G. Kinabalu) a colugo was observed licking fluid oozing from a cut in the trunk of a coconut tree during heavy rain. Published literature states that the colugo feeds on leaves, leaf shoots and flower buds. Occurs in tall and secondary forests, gardens and (in Peninsular Malaysia) plantations.

Distribution: Borneo: C.v.natunae. Known from throughout the lowlands and hills up to 900 m.