Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel vs daubentons bat

Trogopterus xanthipes compared with Myotis daubentonii

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel daubentons bat
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class same Mammalia (Mammals) Mammalia (Mammals)
Order Rodentia (Rodents) Chiroptera (Bats)
Family Sciuridae (Squirrels) Vespertilionidae
Genus Trogopterus Myotis
Species Trogopterus xanthipes Myotis daubentonii

Evolutionary Relationship

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel and daubentons bat share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel

NT — Near Threatened

daubentons bat

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel daubentons bat
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

daubentons bat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel

<em>Trogopterus xanthipes</em>, the complex-toothed flying squirrel, is a medium-sized gliding rodent in the family Pteromyidae endemic to China, where it inhabits montane broadleaf and mixed forests at elevations typically between 1,000 and 2,700 metres in provinces including Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hubei, and neighbouring regions. This species is the sole member of the genus Trogopterus and is distinguished by complex tooth morphology compared to other flying squirrels. Like all flying squirrels, it possesses a patagium — a gliding membrane stretching between fore and hind limbs — that enables it to glide between trees rather than undertake powered flight. The complex-toothed flying squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal, spending its days sheltering in tree hollows and foraging at night for leaves, bark, seeds, and fungi. Its faeces, known as Wuflingzhi, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, leading to trapping pressure in parts of its range. The IUCN classifies this species as Near Threatened, reflecting population decline driven by overhunting for medicinal use and ongoing habitat loss from logging and agricultural encroachment in montane forests. Biological traits including average body mass, lifespan, litter size, and home range are partially documented but detailed population estimates are limited. Conservation measures include legal protections under Chinese wildlife law.

daubentons bat

daubentons bat (Myotis daubentonii) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia