The Japanese flying squirrel, a tiny, fluffy marvel, is famed for gliding effortlessly between trees. Roughly the size of a human hand, it sports a gray or brown coat, white belly, wide eyes, and a bushy tail. Active at night, it naps in tree hollows by day and emerges after dark to snack on nuts, seeds, and insects. These squirrels are expert gliders, soaring up to 100 feet with outstretched limbs. They help manage insect populations and serve as prey for raptors, playing a key role in Japan’s ecosystem.
