Red Giant Flying Squirrel

Taxobox
name = Red Giant Flying Squirrel
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Sciuridae
genus = "Petaurista"
species = "P. petaurista"
binomial = "Petaurista petaurista"
binomial_authority = (Pallas, 1766)The Red Giant Flying Squirrel ("Petaurista petaurista") is a species of flying squirrel, which ranges from the eastern regions of Afghanistan, into Northern Pakistan included parts of Kashmir, to Java, and Taiwan, and parts of southern China to Sri Lanka. 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.

In the wild, it feeds primarily on conifer cones, leaves and branches, and, when in season, fruits and nuts. It is able to glide for long distances; there have been reports of distances up to 75m. The Red Giant Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and does not hibernate, but migrates to areas with more food.

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.

References

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