Is a flying lemur a primate?

No. Although it was once thought to be related to primates, current taxonomy places colugos in their own order, Dermoptera. They are not true lemurs (which are primates).

Can flying lemurs actually fly?

No. They are gliders. They have a large skin membrane (patagium) that stretches from their neck to the tips of their fingers, toes, and tail, allowing them to glide between trees.

What is the difference between a flying lemur and a flying squirrel?

They are not closely related. Flying squirrels are rodents, while flying lemurs (colugos) are dermopterans. Their gliding membranes are structured differently, with the colugo's being more extensive and attaching to the neck and all limbs.

Where can flying lemurs be found?

They are native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including parts of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.

How do you pronounce “flying lemur”?

Flying lemur: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

flying lemur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mə(r)/US/ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mɚ/

Technical/Scientific (Zoology, Biology), occasionally Informal

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “flying lemur” mean?

A small, nocturnal mammal of Southeast Asia, capable of gliding between trees using a skin membrane, but not a true lemur or capable of powered flight.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A small, nocturnal mammal of Southeast Asia, capable of gliding between trees using a skin membrane, but not a true lemur or capable of powered flight.

Informally, the term can refer to any gliding mammal or be used metaphorically for something or someone that appears to effortlessly move or transition between states or places.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related words follows regional conventions (e.g., 'gliding' vs. 'gliding').

Connotations

Neutral and descriptive in both varieties, primarily evoking imagery of a unique gliding animal.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both regions; primarily encountered in nature documentaries, zoology texts, or wildlife contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “flying lemur” in a Sentence

The [specific type] flying lemur [verb of observation/action]: 'The Malayan flying lemur glides silently.'A flying lemur [possessive/descriptive phrase]: 'A flying lemur's membrane is called a patagium.'

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Malayan flying lemurPhilippine flying lemurspot a flying lemurobserve the flying lemur

medium

glide like a flying lemurhabitat of the flying lemurnocturnal flying lemur

weak

rare flying lemursmall flying lemursee a flying lemur

Examples

Examples of “flying lemur” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The documentary showed the colugo flying-lemur-ing its way across the gap. (Non-standard, playful)

American English

The creature seemed to flying-lemur from tree to tree. (Non-standard, playful)

adverb

British English

It moved flying-lemur-quickly through the trees. (Non-standard)

American English

It descended flying-lemur-smoothly onto the branch. (Non-standard)

adjective

British English

We studied the flying-lemur patagium structure.
It was a flying-lemur-like glide.

American English

The flying-lemur research was fascinating.
He made a flying-lemur-style leap.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in biological and zoological papers, often clarified with the term 'colugo'. Common in comparative anatomy or ecology studies of Southeast Asian forests.

Everyday

Rare. Might be used by wildlife enthusiasts, in nature documentaries, or trivia contexts.

Technical

Standard term alongside 'colugo' in zoology. Used to describe gliding mechanics, patagium structure, and nocturnal behaviours.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “flying lemur”

Strong

colugoCynocephalus volans (scientific name for one species)Galeopterus variegatus (scientific name for another species)

Neutral

colugo

Weak

gliding lemurcobego (archaic)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “flying lemur”

terrestrial mammalflightless mammal

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “flying lemur”

Believing it is a type of bat or a true primate.
Using 'flying lemur' in formal scientific writing without introducing the term 'colugo'.
Spelling as 'flying lemer'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. Although it was once thought to be related to primates, current taxonomy places colugos in their own order, Dermoptera. They are not true lemurs (which are primates).
: No. They are gliders. They have a large skin membrane (patagium) that stretches from their neck to the tips of their fingers, toes, and tail, allowing them to glide between trees.
: They are not closely related. Flying squirrels are rodents, while flying lemurs (colugos) are dermopterans. Their gliding membranes are structured differently, with the colugo's being more extensive and attaching to the neck and all limbs.
: They are native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including parts of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
: A small, nocturnal mammal of Southeast Asia, capable of gliding between trees using a skin membrane, but not a true lemur or capable of powered flight.
: Flying lemur is usually technical/scientific (zoology, biology), occasionally informal in register.
: Flying lemur: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈliː.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None directly incorporating the term; potential metaphorical use: 'He moved between departments like a flying lemur.'”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a LEMUR with a FLYING squirrel's gliding membrane. 'Flying Lemur' = Flies (glides) but isn't a lemur.

Conceptual Metaphor

EFFORTLESS TRANSITION IS GLIDING. (e.g., 'She glided through the negotiations like a flying lemur through the canopy.')

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Although called a flying lemur, the colugo cannot achieve powered flight; instead, it from tree to tree using a membrane.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary reason 'flying lemur' is considered a misnomer?