Knowra Colugo Colugo A small, tree-dwelling mammal in the order Dermoptera, native to Southeast Asia. Its broad skin membrane stretches between its limbs, tail, and neck, enabling controlled gliding between trees.
Patagium : A membrane of skin or other tissue stretched between body parts, used by some animals for gliding or flight. The colugo’s patagium extends from its neck to its fingers, toes, and tail.
Dermoptera : An order of mammals containing the two living species of colugo. Colugo is the common name for members of this mammalian order.
Euarchonta : A mammalian group that includes primates, colugos, and treeshrews. Colugos belong to the same major evolutionary group as primates and treeshrews.
Canopy : The upper layer of a forest formed by the crowns and branches of trees. Colugos live and travel chiefly within this elevated forest layer.
Flying squirrel : A squirrel that glides using a membrane stretched between its limbs and body. Flying squirrels also glide, but belong to rodents and have a less extensive membrane.
Gliding flight : A form of locomotion in which an animal travels through the air without powered flight. Colugos use aerodynamic glides to cross gaps between trees.
Sunda flying lemur : A colugo species native to mainland Southeast Asia and several nearby islands. It is one of the two living species commonly called colugos.
Primates : A mammalian order that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans. Genetic and anatomical evidence places colugos close to primates on the mammal family tree.
Seed dispersal : The movement of seeds away from the parent plant by animals, wind, water, or other means. Colugos consume plant material and can move seeds through their forest habitat.
Bat : A mammal of the order Chiroptera whose forelimbs form wings for powered flight. Bats generate powered flight; colugos glide without flapping wings.
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