Meet the Colugo: This mysterious ‘flying lemur’ neither flies nor is a lemur

Meet the Colugo: This Mysterious ‘Flying Lemur’ Neither Flies Nor Is a Lemur. (Image: Canva)

In the quiet treetops of Southeast Asia, something glides. With wide eyes and silent wings, the colugo moves unseen. It's not a lemur, nor does it fly—but it captivates scientists and nature lovers alike. Often called the “flying lemur,” this rare mammal is finally getting attention for its unusual traits.

A Master of the Canopy

The colugo lives high above the forest floor. It rarely, if ever, comes down to the ground. Using a special skin flap, it glides from tree to tree. This stretchy membrane connects its limbs, neck, and tail. With it, colugos can glide over 100 meters in one go.

Unlike bats, colugos cannot fly using wingbeats. Their travel is smooth, controlled, and quiet. They lose very little height while gliding between trees. This helps them escape predators and find food with ease. Their diet includes leaves, flowers, sap, and nectar. Everything they need is found above ground.

An Evolutionary Puzzle

Despite its name, the colugo is not a lemur. It belongs to a separate group called Dermoptera. Scientists say it’s the closest living relative of primates. This makes it a central species in the study of evolution. Its characteristics provide insight into how mammals evolved in the early days.

Little has changed in its body over millions of years. The position of the colugo in the tree of life is distinctive. It lies in between gliders and primates, bridging various strands of evolution. Its primitive characteristics reveal the way mammals used to move and live in trees.

Strange Characteristics, Ideal for Survival

The colugo's eyes are large and face forward, suitable for night vision. The animal is nocturnal and active at night, feeding quietly. Its thick fur blends into tree bark and lichen. Colours vary from grey to red with mottled spots. This helps it hide from predators in daylight.

A notable feature is its strange bottom teeth. They resemble small combs and have up to 20 prongs. Colugos employ them to groom their fur and pick insects off them. They also use the teeth to scrape sap and juice from fruits and plants. Such features enable them to survive in the rainforest canopy.

Not Really 'Flying'

The term "flying lemur" is usually misleading. Colugos don't fly like birds or bats. They glide using only the skin between their limbs. The name remains popular, likely due to their smooth movements. But scientists prefer simply “colugo” to avoid confusion.

Vital to the Forest’s Health

In the ecosystem, colugos have an important role. Their feeding shapes plant growth in the rainforest. By moving from tree to tree, they help spread seeds. This supports biodiversity and forest renewal.

Colugos are also a source of food for larger arboreal predators. Their quiet presence keeps the forest web intact. Though little-known, they are key players in forest life.

Hidden in the treetops, the colugo may seem strange. But its survival story is one of quiet strength and rare beauty.