The young are sexually mature around 21 months and become independent at 12-18 months. Young Japanese giant flying squirrels are able to leave their nests at 59 or more days of age and begin foraging independently at 80 days of age. In addition, breeding occurs twice yearly, resulting in up to four offspring in one year. Because members of this species invest a great deal of energy in parental care, females give birth to only one or two offspring. Gestation lasts for approximately 74 days. Japanese giant flying squirrels have two reproductive seasons annually one is in the winter (mid-November to mid-January) and the other is in the summer (mid-May to mid-June). ( "Squirrels and relatives I: Flying squirrels (Pteromyinae)", 2004 Nowak, 1997) Mating behaviors are not well known for this species, but they are thought to be strictly monogamous, breeding and nesting with only one other mate. Extending down from the ears on the side of the face are white bands of fur. The face is almost raccoon-like in color, with black bands around the eyes. The skull is broad with distinct post-orbital processes and a short rostrum.
Japanese giant flying squirrels are the largest members of the family Sciuridae, weighing up to 1.3 kg. There are nine carpal bones in the wrist of this species, which has a special, long accessory styliform cartilage that supports the flying membrane while gliding. Flying squirrels generally have longer limbs than non-gliding squirrels. A fur-covered membrane extends from the side of their body from the wrists to the ankles, which allows these squirrels to glide between trees. The ventral surface is yellow, buff, brown or white. The tail is usually longer than the body and is the color of the fur on the back. This species has long, soft fur ranging in color on its back from yellow-gray, brown, chestnut and black. There are six species of giant flying squirrels, including the largest, Petaurista leucogenys. ( Ando and Shiraishi, 1993 Kawamichi, 1997a Kawamichi, 1997b Kawamichi, 1998 Nowak, 1997) They often inhabit forested areas around shrines and temples. Forests include tropical and temperate with a mixture of tree species, such as deciduous and coniferous trees. This species inhabits areas of forests, hills and mountains. ( Ando and Shiraishi, 1993 Kawamichi, 1997a Kawamichi, 1997b Kawamichi, 1998 Stafford, et al., 2003)
Many studies of this species have been carried out in Nara City, located in central Japan. Japanese giant flying squirrels are found in southern parts of Asia and Japan, including the islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku in Japan.
0 kommentar(er)
