Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora
Endangered
Indonesia (Sumatera)
The world’s gliding mammals are an extraordinary group of animals that have the ability to glide from tree to tree with seemingly effortless grace. There are more than 60 species of gliding mammals including the flying squirrels from Europe and North America, the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from central Africa and the gliding possums of Australia and New Guinea.
Gliding between trees in #Indonesia with effortless poise and grace, the Mentawi Flying Squirrel is a sight to behold. Endangered by #palmoil and #agriculture #deforestation. Support their survival in the supermarket #Boycott4Wildlife
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The Mentawi Flying Squirrel lives in primary forests up to 500 m. Habitat loss on the two islands represents a threat to this lowland species. Endangered because its extent of occurrence is approximately 2,582 km², all individuals are in fewer than five locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. A survey by the National Museum of Indonesia in 1991 failed to detect the species. It should possibly be included in the Critically Endangered category (with the possibly Extinct box checked) once the status is better determined.
This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.
IUCN Red list
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Lee, B. 2016. Iomys sipora (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10846A115099877. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T10846A22249119.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.
Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM
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