Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Family: Sciuridae

Order: Rodentia

Genus: Pteromys

Spiecies Name: P.momonga

Evolution

Subspecies:It has no known subspecies

How long has it been in existence? Has existed for millions of years

Closest living relative? The Siberian flying squirrel

Who are the three ancestors of the Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel? There aren’t specifically named due to fossil records being incomplete. It most likely evolved from ancient flying squirrels who lived around 20-30 million years ago

Description

Physical description: Its back is covered with grey brown hair. Its belly is white, has large eyes, and also a flattened tail

Point Key Characteristics:

Size range: Its body is 14-20 centimeters long

Average weight: 150-220 grams

Life Span: 5-7 years in the wild, up to 10-19 years in captivity

Differences between Males and Females: Males are usually a little bigger and slightly heavier than females, there aren't many differences between them.

Description of the Habitat: Sub-alpine forests and boreal evergreen forests in Japan, specifically on Honshu and Kyushu islands as well as Shikoku
- How much rainfall: Can range from 1,000-2,500 mm
- Plants: Japanese maple, Japanese cedar, Japanese beech, Oak trees, Pine trees. These plants are good for the squirrel and also provide food and shelter for them.
- Animals: Japanese macaques, Japanese black bears, Birds, Insects, Japanese squirrels
- Temperature: Winter temperatures can drop to around -5ºC to 5ºC and during Summer can range around 20ºC to 30ºC
- Terrain: Mostly forested and mountainous

Distribution
- Continents found: Asia
- Invasive at all: No, it is not considered invasive

Diet
- What exactly does it eat: primarily eats fruits, nuts, tree sap, and seeds.
- How often does it eat: It is nocturnal so typically during the night
- How does it get its food: By foraging in trees
- Any special foods: Sap, Acorns, and fruits.

Social Structure
- Live in packs or solo - It lives solitarily, each has its own territory and only come together for mating
- Roles within community: It does not live in a social community with defined roles. It only and mainly focuses on finding food, shelter, and mating as a solitary animal.
- Male or Female led groups: There is no social structure based on gender. They are solitary animals and do not form groups
- Individuals that make up the group: Each lives alone due to being solitary animals
- How do they interact with each other: Scent marking, body postures, and vocalizations

Development
- Stages of development: Gestation, birth, infancy, juvenile, independence
- How old before sexual maturity: At around 9 to 12 months
- Activities and environment of stages: During gestation, the mother rests in a tree nest as she prepares for the babies. During birth, the babies stay in the nest, relying on their mothers for milk and also warmth. When they’re juveniles, they explore the nest, they play, learn to climb and also basic skills. They become independent at around 3-4 months
- Difference between males and females: Males are slightly larger than females when they’re fully grown.

Reproduction
- How often do they mate - Once a year
- How many mates do they have - They are polygamous which means they have multiple mates
- Time of year for mating: Occurs during spring around March to May
- Mating rituals: Males chase after females and display aggressive behaviors towards each other in order to win access to a mate. Females assess the male based on their strength and also agility.
- Number of offspring produces at a time: 1 to 3 offspring at a time
- Any unique characteristics of their mating: Intense competition among males, aggressive behavior or displays, female’s choice

Causes of death
- Predation: Animals like hawks, owls, and bigger or larger mammals could prey on them
- Sexual Competition: Can occur whenever the males engage in aggressive fights over females
- Disease: Illnesses or parasites
- Other causes: Habitat

IUCN Rating
- What is the rating? Least Concern
- Population: Not well known
- Population Trend: Stable

Competition
- Inter-species – within the species: Males competing against each other for mates
- Intra-species – with other species: Competes with other squirrels like the Japanese squirrel or Siberian flying squirrel for food and shelter.
- What do they compete over: Food, shelter, mates
- Affect of invasive species: Affects them by competing for food, shelter, or space

Impact of Humans
- What impacts have occurred: Habitat loss, pollution, introduction of invasive species
- Potential Future impacts: Habitat loss, deforestation, invasive species, and diseases
- How long have humans been interacting with species: For centuries maily through habitat changes, agriculture, etc.
- Efforts being made to minimize impacts: Habitat protection, conservation programs, limited human impact, and also raising awareness

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