With their preternaturally huge black eyes and permanently upturned mouth, it is easy to see why this species has developed a following among cuteness connoisseurs.  

However, given that they are nocturnal, incapable of being housebroken, and – most importantly – not domesticated, it is best to leave these fluffy little nuggets in the wild and appreciate them from a respectful distance ranging from 3 meters (10 feet) to thousands of miles away on the Internet.

Native to the chilly forests of northern Russia, Mongolia, parts of mainland Asia, and Japan (alongside their look-a-like cousin, the Japanese flying squirrel), Pteromys Volans spends its nights hopping and gliding between trees in search of tasty leaves, seeds, berries, catkins, and the occasional pilfered egg. Measuring in at 13-20 centimeters (5-8 inches) in length, not including their tails, and weighing about 150 grams (5.3 ounces), the squirrels are tiny enough to curl up inside natural tree crevices or those left behind by overzealous woodpeckers.

If you are planning on actually heading into nature to try to spot one, keep an eye out for cozy-sized holes in large trees – mainly aspen, birch, and alder – within woodlands composed of a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. 

Sources: iflscience.com