Complex-toothed flying squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Complex-toothed flying squirrelTemporal range: Early Pleistocene to Recent
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Trogopterus
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xanthipes
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The complex-toothed flying squirrel (Trogopterus xanthipes) is a special type of flying squirrel. It lives in the southern parts of China. You can find it in provinces like Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Its unique name comes from its teeth. They look different from the teeth of other flying squirrels.
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About the Complex-Toothed Flying Squirrel
What Does It Look Like?
This flying squirrel looks a lot like its relatives. But it has a cool feature: a tuft of black hair. This hair is found right below its ears. Its fur is mostly grey-brown. However, its belly is white. You might also notice a slight reddish color on its face and tail. This squirrel is about 60 centimeters long. Half of that length is its tail!
Protecting the Complex-Toothed Flying Squirrel
Why Is It in Danger?
The complex-toothed flying squirrel is currently considered near threatened. This means its population is shrinking. There are two main reasons for this. First, its home is disappearing. This is called habitat loss. Second, too many squirrels are being hunted. People hunt them for food. They also use them for traditional Chinese medicine. For example, the droppings of these squirrels are used to make a special tea. This tea is part of traditional medicine in some parts of China.
How Are We Helping?
Good news for these squirrels! In 2020, a huge park was created. It's called the Giant Panda National Park. This park combines nearly 70 nature reserves. It was first made to help giant pandas. But many other animals, like the flying squirrel, also benefit. The park is enormous. It's about 10,500 square miles. That's roughly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park! This big park helps protect the squirrels' homes. Experts hope their numbers will grow again.
Many people who used to live in the park area have moved. However, some local farmers still let their animals graze there. To truly protect all the animals, rules need to be followed more strictly.
Life and Habits of the Flying Squirrel
Where Do They Live?
Trogopterus xanthipes builds its nests in high places. They often choose cliffs. These nests are usually about 30 meters above the ground. They live in mountains. You can find them at altitudes of 1300 to 1500 meters. Some reports even say they live as high as 2750 meters above sea level.
What Do They Do at Night?
These squirrels are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. They leave their nests after dark. They search for food. Their diet includes nuts, fruits, and leaves.
How Do They Grow?
Flying squirrels become adults at about 22 months old. A mother squirrel can have up to four babies at once. Pregnancy lasts for about 80 to 90 days. Squirrels living in zoos have been known to live for ten to twelve years.
Understanding Their Family Tree
What Is Their Scientific Group?
Scientists group animals into different families. The complex-toothed flying squirrel belongs to the genus Trogopterus. In the past, five different types of Trogopterus were described. But now, most scientists believe they are all the same species. They are all Trogopterus xanthipes. Another squirrel, the hairy-footed flying squirrel (Belomys pearsoni), is closely related. It might even be added to the Trogopterus group in the future.
Squirrels and Science
Why Are They Interesting to Scientists?
People hunt these squirrels for food. Their droppings are also collected. These droppings are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are sometimes used to help with stomach problems. Scientists are studying these droppings. They want to see if they contain any special ingredients. These ingredients might have useful properties for modern medicine. Some studies have found certain natural compounds in them. Scientists are still researching to learn more.
