also: むざさび
Japanese giant flying squirrel
Refers specifically to Petaurista leucogenys, a large flying squirrel native to Japan. Often written in katakana as ムササビ.
I saw a Japanese giant flying squirrel gliding from tree to tree in the forest at night.
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling; also common.
Rare kanji form; the word is usually written in kana.
Rare kanji form; the word is usually written in kana.
Obsolete kana usage; included for reference.
The origin is uncertain. The word is native Japanese, and the kanji forms 鼯鼠 and 鼺鼠 are rare ateji.