Here's how they are similar:
1. Gliding Membranes: Both flying squirrels and flying phalangers have a patagium, a membrane of skin stretched between their limbs that allows them to glide through the air. This allows them to move efficiently between trees and avoid predators.
2. Flattened Body Shape: Both have flattened bodies with a broad, flattened tail that aids in control and stability during gliding.
3. Nocturnal Lifestyle: Both are primarily nocturnal animals, active at night to avoid predators and take advantage of cooler temperatures.
4. Arboreal Habitat: Both are primarily arboreal, living in trees and spending most of their time in the branches.
5. Diet: Both have a primarily herbivorous diet, feeding on fruits, nuts, seeds, and other plant material.
However, it's important to remember that they are still quite different:
1. Taxonomy: Flying squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which includes other squirrels like the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Red Squirrel. Flying phalangers belong to the Phalangeridae family, which is part of the marsupial order and includes animals like the sugar glider.
2. Geographic Location: Flying squirrels are found in North America, while flying phalangers are native to Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands.
3. Reproduction: Flying squirrels give birth to live young, while flying phalangers are marsupials and their young develop in a pouch.
Despite these differences, the striking resemblance between flying squirrels and flying phalangers is a testament to the power of natural selection. Their shared adaptations demonstrate how similar environmental pressures can lead to similar evolutionary solutions, even in distantly related species.