Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species inhabits montane and submontane tropical rainforests on the island of Java, Indonesia, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters. It prefers old-growth forests with dense canopies and large trees for nesting and gliding.
Diet
Bartel's flying squirrel primarily feeds on fruits, nuts, and seeds from trees like figs and oaks, supplemented by insects and occasionally bird eggs. It forages at night, using its gliding ability to move efficiently between food sources in the canopy. Feeding behavior includes caching food for later use during scarce periods.
Behavior
Bartel's flying squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of its time in the forest canopy where it glides up to 50 meters between trees to escape predators or find food. It is generally solitary or lives in pairs, with individuals marking territories using scent glands. Territorial disputes are rare, but vocalizations and chases occur if boundaries are crossed.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists Bartel's flying squirrel as Vulnerable due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Population trends are declining, with major threats including fragmentation of rainforest habitats.