Philippine Colugo
The Philippine colugo, also known as the Philippine flying lemur, is a fascinating gliding mammal endemic to the southern Philippines. Despite its common name, it is neither a lemur nor capable of powered flight. Instead, it is a masterful glider, using a unique membrane to move between trees in its forest habitat.
Meet the Philippine Colugo
Classification
The Philippine colugo exhibits a head-body length ranging from 33 to 38 centimeters, complemented by a tail measuring between 22 to 27 centimeters. Adults typically weigh between 1 to 1.75 kilograms. Their dense, soft fur varies from grayish to reddish-brown, adorned with white spots on the back, providing effective camouflage against tree bark.
The underside is usually lighter in color. A defining characteristic is the patagium—a wide, fur-covered membrane extending from the neck to the limbs and tail—that facilitates their gliding ability. This membrane is the most extensive among gliding mammals and also serves as a protective pouch for carrying offspring. The colugo’s large, forward-facing eyes enhance its nocturnal vision, while sharp claws aid in climbing.
In terms of anatomy, the Philippine colugo possesses a broad and flat skull with distinct postorbital processes forming the eye sockets. Their dental structure is notable; the first upper incisors are reduced, while the second resembles canines and possesses two roots—a feature unique among mammals. The molars are tribosphenic, equipped with well-developed ridges for chewing coarse plant matter.
This species is one of only two existing colugos, the other being the Sunda flying lemur (Galeopterus variegatus) found in Southeast Asia. Colugos are the sole members of the order Dermoptera, highlighting their distinct evolutionary lineage.
Where Does the Philippine Colugo Live?
Biogeographic Realm: Indomalaya
Continents: Asia
Subcontinents: Southeast Asia
Countries: Philippines
Habitats (IUCN): Forest, Artificial - Terrestrial
The Philippine colugo is native to several islands in the southern Philippines, including Mindanao, Bohol, Samar, and Leyte. It primarily inhabits dense tropical forests, both in lowland and mountainous regions, but can also be found in coconut and rubber plantations. These animals are strictly arboreal, relying on the forest canopy for food, shelter, and protection from predators.
Their habitat preference includes both primary and secondary forests, demonstrating some adaptability to habitat modification. However, they are rarely found in open areas or regions with sparse tree cover, underscoring their dependence on continuous forested environments.
What Do Philippine Colugos Eat?
As nocturnal herbivores, Philippine colugos primarily consume young leaves, which are easier to digest and more nutritious than mature foliage. Their diet also includes fruits, flowers, and shoots. They have a complex, multi-chambered stomach adapted to efficiently process cellulose-rich plant material.
To forage, colugos glide from tree to tree, covering distances of over 100 meters in a single glide, minimizing energy expenditure and avoiding ground predators. This gliding ability allows them to access a wide range of food sources scattered throughout the forest canopy without descending to the ground.
What Eats Philippine Colugos? – Predators & Natural Enemies
Natural predators of the Philippine colugo include the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which relies heavily on colugos as a food source. Tree-climbing snakes also pose a threat, particularly to young colugos. Additionally, humans hunt colugos for their meat and fur, and they are sometimes considered pests in agricultural areas due to their feeding habits.
Their primary defense mechanisms include their cryptic coloration, which provides camouflage against tree bark, and their ability to glide away from predators. When threatened, colugos may freeze against the trunk of a tree, relying on their mottled fur to blend into the background and avoid detection.
Behavior & Lifestyle
Philippine colugos are solitary and nocturnal creatures. They spend daylight hours clinging to tree trunks or hiding in tree hollows, relying on their camouflaged fur for protection. At night, they become active, gliding in search of food. While generally solitary, multiple colugos may inhabit the same tree without direct interaction. Their social interactions are limited, primarily occurring during the breeding season.
Communication among colugos is not well-documented, but it is believed they use vocalizations and scent marking to establish territories and attract mates. Their movement within the canopy is facilitated by their gliding ability, allowing them to efficiently navigate their arboreal environment.
Their gliding ability is facilitated by their extensive patagium, allowing them to cover significant distances between trees. This mode of locomotion is energy-efficient and reduces exposure to ground-based predators.
How Do Philippine Colugos Reproduce?
Reproduction in Philippine colugos is not extensively documented, but it is known that females typically give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of about 60 days. The underdeveloped newborn clings to the mother’s abdomen, protected by the patagium, which forms a pouch-like structure similar to a marsupial’s. This provides warmth, protection, and stability as the infant develops.
The young colugo remains dependent on its mother for several months, gradually learning to glide and forage on its own. Weaning occurs at around six months, but juveniles may continue to stay close to their mothers for additional support. Maturity is reached between two and three years of age, at which point the colugo is fully independent.
Mating behaviors are not well-documented, but it is believed that colugos do not form long-term pair bonds and engage in seasonal breeding, possibly triggered by environmental factors like food availability.
Are Philippine Colugos Endangered? – Conservation Status & Threats
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the Philippine colugo as a species of Least Concern. Despite its stable population, several factors pose threats to its long-term survival. Habitat destruction due to deforestation, logging, and agricultural expansion is a primary concern, as colugos rely on dense forests for survival. Urbanization and land conversion continue to fragment their habitat, limiting their ability to glide between trees and access food sources.
Additionally, hunting poses a significant threat. Some local communities hunt colugos for their meat and fur, while others consider them agricultural pests. Although no large-scale conservation programs are currently dedicated to the species, their presence in protected areas such as national parks offers some level of security. Conservationists emphasize the need for stricter enforcement of forest protection laws and further research into colugo populations to ensure their long-term survival.
