Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2019 shows a flying squirrel fed by villager Ji Zhongfeng in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Photo:Xinhua

Flying squirrels has become an important source for villagers to increase their income in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Their feces can be used as a Chinese medicine called Wulingzhi for a variety of illness, in particular abdominal pain and blood stasis.

The county established 29 cooperatives of flying squirrels feeding. The annual income of over 380 households who feed flying squirrels reached over 27.7 million yuan (about 4.03 million U.S. dollars).

Flying squirrels have a special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees. It uses slight movements of the legs to steer, and the tail acts as a brake upon reaching its destination, according to the U.S. National Wildlife Federation. 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui takes a photo with a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2019 shows a flying squirrel fed by villager Ji Zhongfeng in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Photo:Xinhua

 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui takes a photo with a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Combo photo taken on Jan. 19, 2020 shows flying squirrels at villager Zhang Zhonghui's home in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Photo:Xinhua

 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui takes a photo with a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui checks the condition of a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui takes a photo with a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Villager Zhang Zhonghui checks the condition of a flying squirrel in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

 

Two flying squirrels are seen at the feeding shed of villager Zhang Zhonghui in Luonan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua