Colugos have a leathery sail that allows them to glide about 300 feet between tree canopies. (Photo: Joshua Davenport/Alamy Stock Photo)
Why It's Impressive: Colugos are often called “flying lemurs,” but that may be a misnomer. These nocturnal mammals share some similarities with lemurs, with small, furry faces and a pair of large, forward-facing eyes. However, colugos are not lemurs, which are part of the order Primates. Colugos are the only members of the order Dermoptera, and are the closest living relatives of modern primates.
Colugos are flightless creatures. Unlike bats, the only mammals capable of active flight, they don't have wings. Instead, they have a furry membrane called a patagium that's only for gliding.
This thin sail is made of skin that extends from the animal's neck to its paws and from its paws to its tail. When fully extended, their “wings” span about 70 centimeters, resembling a living kite. Their limbs are webbed and have curved claws for gripping tree bark.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
