Table of Contents
Evolution and Systematics
Functional Adaptations
Functional adaptation
Skin aids gliding: gliding possums
"Membranes of skin are also used by other mammals to achieve, if not real flight, at least gliding. The flying squirrels and gliding possums have a membrane of skin extending between the wrist and ankle on each side of the body. When the animal launches itself from a high branch it spreads its limbs wide apart and the taut membranes act as a parachute: the great gliding possum can make leaps covering 100 metres in this way. 'Flying' frogs have similar enlarged membranes between their long toes which they use in gliding leaps from tree to tree." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:81)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
Gliding possums can move through the air thanks to membranes of skin between the wrists and ankles that can be stretched taut for gliding.
"Membranes of skin are also used by other mammals to achieve, if not real flight, at least gliding. The flying squirrels and gliding possums have a membrane of skin extending between the wrist and ankle on each side of the body. When the animal launches itself from a high branch it spreads its limbs wide apart and the taut membranes act as a parachute: the great gliding possum can make leaps covering 100 metres in this way. 'Flying' frogs have similar enlarged membranes between their long toes which they use in gliding leaps from tree to tree." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:81)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.
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| Specimen Records: | 34 |
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