There are seven species in this family. They are all found in the forests of central Africa.

Scaly-tailed squirrels look like squirrels. They have long tails with a tuft of fur on the end and two rows of pointed scales on the underside. They have sharp, curved claws and vary in color from black to brown to cream.

All of the species in this family, except for the flightless scaly-tailed squirrel, have a membrane that runs from their front legs to their rear legs that lets them glide from tree branch to tree branch.

Scaly-tailed squirrels live in pairs or colonies and eat fruit, insects, seeds, bark, and flowers. They often make their dens in hollow trees.

Scaly-tailed squirrels are also called African flying squirrels. Although they look like flying squirrels, they are not closely related to them.