The Red Giant Flying Squirrel ( Petaurista
petaurista) is a species of flying squirrel, which ranges from the
eastern regions of Afghanistan, into Northern India including parts of
Jammu & Kashmir, across the Himalayas through to Java, and Taiwan, and
also Sri Lanka. This species was recorded in peninsular Malaysia,
included Pulau Pinang, Tioman Island and also Singapore . This species
also recorded from many localities throughout Sabah and Sarawak, up to
900m on Mount Kinabalu, excluding the range of P.p. nigrescens, which is
known only from the forests around Sandakan Bay north of Kinabatangan
River.
Giant flying squirrels (petaurista sp.) have highest diversity in
term of species richness and population diversity in Southeast Asia.
Identification
Like all other species of flying squirrels, it has a membrane of skin
between its legs, which is used to glide between trees. It is
characterised by its dark red colouring and large eyes. When compared to
other species of squirrels, this species is large, being on average
422mm long. Entire body dark reddish except for black on nose, chin,
eye-ring, behind the ears, feet and tail tip.
Ecology and Habitat
In the wild, it feeds primarily on conifer cones, leaves and
branches, and, when in season, fruits and nuts, and occasionally
insects. It is able to glide for long distances. There have been reports
of distances up to 75 metres (250 ft.) or greater; glide angles are
generally 40-60 degrees from the horizontal, occasionally steeper for
shorter glides. Their nest holes usually at least 10m above ground. The
Red Giant Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and does not hibernate, but
migrates to areas with more food. P.petaurista also able to explore
secondary conifer plantations and use this habitat as feeding and
resting areas.
P.petaurista is most active between sunset and midnight and the home
range of adult females in conifer plantation was estimated to be 3.2ha.
The Red Giant Flying Squirrel is believed to mate twice a year and the
young are typically born in March or August in litters of two to three. |
