Ezo Momonga
Ezo Momonga: Hokkaido’s Adorable Flying Squirrel with Big, Round Eyes
If you ever wondered what it would be like to witness a living cartoon character zip through the night sky, look no further than Hokkaido’s very own Ezo momonga (Pteromys volans orii). This pint-sized flying squirrel, with its impossibly large eyes and fluffy body, looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. With a face so cute it practically demands to be protected at all costs, the Ezo momonga has become an unofficial mascot of Hokkaido’s wildlife.
Though they’re small and incredibly elusive, catching a glimpse of these creatures gliding through the air is one of the most magical wildlife experiences you can have in Hokkaido. Their nighttime flights between trees seem almost unreal, as if they belong in some enchanted forest where everything has a touch of the supernatural.
Diet: A Herbivore with High-Flying Tastes
Despite their sprightly appearance, Ezo momonga are all about efficiency when it comes to food. These tiny herbivores feed on a variety of plant-based goodies, depending on the season. In the spring and summer, they dine on fresh leaves, tree buds, and flowers, foraging high in the canopy where they can munch undisturbed. As autumn approaches, they turn their attention to seeds and nuts, which they stash away for the long winter ahead.
Winter is when the Ezo momonga’s survival skills really shine. While most of the forest’s inhabitants are hibernating or hiding from the cold, this flying squirrel is still on the move. Their winter diet consists of the tree bark and seeds they stored earlier in the year, as well as pine nuts and fungi. Their ability to locate food in even the harshest conditions makes them a master of survival, gliding from tree to tree in search of sustenance long after other creatures have retreated.
Habitat: Hokkaido’s Nocturnal Acrobat
Ezo momonga live in Hokkaido’s dense, coniferous forests, particularly those rich in spruce and fir trees. These forests provide the perfect environment for the momonga’s unique way of getting around—gliding. While they may be called flying squirrels, they don’t exactly fly in the traditional sense. Instead, they glide gracefully between trees using a special membrane, called the patagium, which stretches between their front and hind limbs like a built-in wingsuit. With a well-timed leap and a little help from their aerodynamic bodies, Ezo momonga can glide distances of up to 50 meters (164 feet).
They spend their days hidden away in tree hollows or cavities, sleeping in snug, insulated nests made from moss, lichen, and shredded bark. It’s not until the sun sets that these nocturnal critters emerge, ready to embark on their nightly foraging flights.
Ezo momonga are notoriously shy and tend to stay well out of sight, which makes spotting one a rare and exciting event. But if you’re patient and know where to look, you might catch a glimpse of one gliding silently between trees, its oversized eyes reflecting the moonlight like tiny lanterns.
Best Places to See Them: Nopporo Forest and Beyond
For anyone hoping to see an Ezo momonga in the wild, there are a few places in Hokkaido where your chances increase significantly—though you’ll still need a bit of luck on your side. Nopporo Forest near Sapporo is one of the top locations for spotting these nocturnal acrobats. The forest’s dense tree cover and quiet paths make it the perfect place for momonga to nest, and a night-time walk through the park might reward you with the sight of one gliding between trees or perching on a branch, wide-eyed and alert.
Maruyama Park, also near Sapporo, is another great spot for potential momonga sightings. The park is quieter at night, and the mix of old-growth trees and parkland creates an ideal habitat for these flying squirrels to go about their nightly business. Other good locations include Furano’s own Daisetsuzan National Park and the Shiretoko Peninsula, both of which offer the dense forest environments the Ezo momonga loves.
However, because Ezo momonga are strictly nocturnal, you’ll need to plan your excursion accordingly. Your best bet is to venture out at dusk or just after dark, armed with a flashlight (with a red filter to avoid disturbing the animals) and a lot of patience. Watching one of these tiny creatures take off from a branch and glide silently through the air is one of Hokkaido’s most rewarding wildlife encounters.
The Art of Gliding: Nature’s Tiny Daredevils
The Ezo momonga’s gliding ability is nothing short of extraordinary. When it’s time to move between trees, the momonga climbs to a high perch, spreads its limbs wide, and leaps into the air. The patagium stretches out, creating an aerodynamic surface that catches the air and allows the momonga to glide from one tree to another with impressive precision.
Steering mid-flight is no problem for these little daredevils. By adjusting the tension in their limbs and using their tail as a rudder, they can navigate their way through the forest with ease. Once they approach their landing site, they pull in their limbs and gently touch down on a branch, ready to scurry off in search of food or to explore new parts of the forest.
While it may look effortless, this method of travel is actually a brilliant evolutionary adaptation. Gliding allows the momonga to cover large distances without expending too much energy, all while avoiding predators that might lurk on the forest floor. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that’s served the Ezo momonga well for millennia.
Social Creatures with a Shy Side
Ezo momonga may be elusive, but they’re not solitary animals. They’re known to live in small groups, often sharing tree hollows or nests with other momonga. This social behavior helps them stay warm during Hokkaido’s brutal winters, when temperatures can drop well below freezing. While they don’t hibernate, they do enter a state of torpor, where their metabolic rate slows down, conserving energy while they rest in their cozy nests.
Though they’re social within their own species, momonga are cautious around humans and predators. Their large eyes, perfectly adapted for night vision, help them detect movement in the dark, and their quick reflexes allow them to glide away at the first sign of danger.
Their ability to vanish into the treetops at a moment’s notice, combined with their quiet, nocturnal lifestyle, has given the Ezo momonga an almost mythical status among wildlife enthusiasts. Spotting one feels like a rare, magical encounter—a glimpse into a secret world where these tiny creatures rule the night skies.
Cultural Significance: The Kawaii Factor
In Japan, the Ezo momonga has become a symbol of cuteness, or kawaii, and it’s easy to see why. With its huge, round eyes, fluffy body, and tiny size (roughly the size of a human hand), the Ezo momonga embodies everything people love about adorable animals. It’s no wonder that images of these flying squirrels appear on everything from souvenirs to social media posts, where they’ve developed a dedicated fanbase.
Despite their low profile in the wild, the Ezo momonga’s kawaii factor has earned it a spot in the hearts of many nature lovers in Japan. Whether you’re an experienced wildlife watcher or just someone who appreciates a good dose of cuteness, the Ezo momonga has a way of making even the coldest winter night feel a little warmer.
Winter Survival: Fluff and Determination
Winter in Hokkaido is no joke, but the Ezo momonga is more than up to the challenge. Its fluffy fur coat provides excellent insulation against the cold, and its high-energy diet keeps it going even when the temperatures drop. In addition to foraging for food, Ezo momonga spend a significant amount of time maintaining their nests, which are carefully crafted to retain heat and protect them from the elements.
When food is scarce, the momonga’s winter stores of seeds and nuts become essential for survival. Like many other animals in Hokkaido, the Ezo momonga prepares for winter by stockpiling food throughout the autumn, ensuring that it has enough to eat when fresh food becomes harder to find.
Their nests, often hidden in tree cavities, are another key to their winter survival. These cozy shelters, insulated with soft materials like moss and feathers, help the momonga stay warm during the long, cold nights. Though they may not hibernate, their ability to enter torpor helps them conserve energy, allowing them to ride out even the harshest winter storms.
Conservation: Protecting Hokkaido’s Gliding Wonders
Although the Ezo momonga is not currently endangered, its habitat is under threat due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation. As Hokkaido’s forests are developed for agriculture and urban expansion, the flying squirrel’s natural habitat shrinks, making it harder for them to find food, shelter, and nesting sites.
Conservation efforts in Hokkaido aim to protect these forests, ensuring that the Ezo momonga and other species that depend on old-growth trees can continue to thrive. Educating the public about the importance of preserving these habitats is also a crucial part of protecting this species, as more people become aware of the unique role the Ezo momonga plays in Hokkaido’s ecosystem.
Final Thoughts: Spotting the Enchanting Ezo Momonga
If you’re lucky enough to see an Ezo momonga in the wild, you’ll understand why these tiny creatures have captured the hearts of so many. Their nocturnal gliding and impossibly cute appearance make
them one of Hokkaido’s most enchanting residents. Whether you catch a fleeting glimpse of one as it glides between trees or simply spot its round eyes peering out from a tree hollow, an encounter with an Ezo momonga is something you won’t soon forget.
So, next time you’re wandering through Hokkaido’s forests after dark, keep your eyes peeled and your flashlight ready—you just might get to see this little flying wonder in action, soaring silently through the night like a real-life fairy.