Rare Squirrel Found on Only One Japanese Island is Not a Pokémon

A smaller type of the Siberian flying squirrel, the adorable mammal belongs to a species of squirrels that are native to Japan.

What gives the Ezo momonga its anime-level cuteness is its relatively diminutive size and its large, expressive eyes.

These flying squirrels can only be found on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, according to Yabai.

They are practically identical to the Japanese dwarf flying squirrels which are found in the forests on Honshu and Kyushu islands.

The Ezo momonga can definitely fit inside one’s pockets as its total length on average is only around 13 inches (330 mm).

Their body length makes up about five to eight inches (127 to 203 mm) of their total length, while their tail length makes up about 3.5 to 5.5 inches (90 mm-140 mm).

As the Japanese are lovers of all things kawaii, the Ezo momonga has found some popularity among locals.

It even appears on the regional railway’s refillable ticket cards as a sort of mascot, according to Soranews24.

Can’t get enough of the Ezo momonga? Check out more delightful images captured by Twitter user @PopShiretoko360, a wildlife photographer in Japan.

Feature Image via @PopShiretoko360