The Japanese flying squirrel is a tiny, furry animal famous for gliding between trees. About the size of a hand, it has a gray or brown body, white belly, big eyes, and a fluffy tail. Nocturnal by nature, it sleeps in tree holes by day and comes out at night to eat nuts, seeds, and insects. These squirrels glide up to 100 feet by spreading their limbs. They help control insects and provide food for birds of prey, playing a vital role in Japan’s ecosystem.
