Colugos are also called flying lemur. However,
 there
are not closely related to the true lemur, which are found in
Madagascar. Flying lemurs are classified in the order Dermoptera, from
the Greek words derma, meaning "skin", and the ptera, meaning "wing",
thus "skin-wing". These creatures have membranes that connect their legs
and tail, enable them to glide from one tree to the other. There are 2
species of colugo in the world; the Malayan Flying Lemur and the
Philippine Flying Lemur. It is reported that there are approximately
1500 Malayan Flying Lemurs in Singapore.
Size: About 70cm
Diet: Mainly leaves, young shoots, flower buds and sap.
Activity: Arboreal, largely nocturnal. It is usually seen perching
against a tree trunk with its head pointing upwards. When disturbed, the
Colugo has two defensive reactions: It wil either freeze and hope not to
get noticed or scramble up the trunk higher into the tree.
It can glide from tree to tree in a steady controlled manner, landing
with the head up neatly and precisely.
Habitat: Forests. Adapts quite well to disturbed forset edges and
coastal plantations. . This species has a wide distribution in Southeast
Asia. |
