White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista albiventer

The White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel is a large, nocturnal rodent found in the forests of South and Central Asia, including the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and China. It inhabits montane and subtropical forests, usually at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 meters. This flying squirrel has a distinctive appearance, with a dense, reddish-brown or grayish-brown coat on its back and a white underside. It has a large, bushy tail and a well-developed patagium (gliding membrane) that extends from its wrists to its ankles, allowing it to glide between trees over long distances.

The White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel is herbivorous, feeding primarily on leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers. It is nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of its life in the canopy and using its gliding ability to move efficiently between trees in search of food. During the day, it shelters in tree hollows or dense foliage.

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

IWLPA: Schedule I

CITES: Not Defined