Indian Giant Flying Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. Indian Giant Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and nearly exclusively arboreal. They frequently rely on tree cavities for nesting. They are most active before midnight. They have been observed lying on their back in hot weather with gliding membranes extended to keep cool.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Subtropical hardwood and conifer forests. In Western Ghats, India, the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel consistently forages more often in forest edges and open forest patches, and it occurs in large and small forest fragments. It appears resilient to forest disturbance and fragmentation, but on Hainan, China, only larger forest fragments are occupied. In China, it occupiesfive of twelve zoogeographical regions, which demonstrates generalist tendencies.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Large nests of Indian Giant Flying Squirrels are constructed of leaves, shredded bark, and roots in hollows of trees or branches c. 18 m aboveground. Nests are lined with fur, grass, and moss and generally have two entrances. Adult female home ranges in conifer plantations are 3 - 3 - 4 ha. Densities are 0 - 11 - 0 - 64 ind / ha. In Western Ghats, playback calls of owl species are suggested as a potential census method for the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel; in response to such calls, they are often seen and heard making alarm calls. Larger-bodied owls are therefore assumed to be important predators but details on predation attempts are not available.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel breeds in winter, early spring, and autumn. Litter sizes are 1 - 2 young, most commonly one.

Sciuridae