All anomalurids have membranes between their front and hind legs like those of the boreal flying squirrels, but they are not closely related to those, flying squirrels that form the separate tribe Petauristini of the family Sciuridae.

By extending their limbs, anomalures transform themselves into a gliding platform that they control by manipulating the membranes and tail.

[4] Like North American flying squirrels, these species have a cartilaginous rod that aids them in maintaining the extension of the patagium when in flight; unlike flying squirrels, their cartilage originates at the elbow joint rather than at the wrist.

They are primarily herbivorous, and may travel up to 6 km (3.7 mi) from their roosting tree in search of leaves, flowers, or fruit, although they also eat a small amount of insects.

[3] Anomalurids represent one of several independent evolutions of gliding ability in mammals, having evolved from climbing animals.