Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits temperate and subtropical forests in the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan, northeastern India, and southern China, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,500 meters. They prefer old-growth forests with tall trees for gliding and nesting, avoiding open or heavily disturbed areas.
Diet
The Bhutan giant flying squirrel feeds mainly on leaves, fruits, nuts, and bark from trees such as oaks and maples. They are nocturnal foragers, actively searching for food at night and using their gliding ability to move between food sources. Occasionally, they consume insects or bird eggs for additional protein.
Behavior
These squirrels are primarily nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and gliding up to 100 meters between them to escape predators or find food. They are generally solitary or live in pairs, establishing territories in forest canopies and building nests in tree hollows. During the day, they rest in these dens, emerging at dusk to forage and interact minimally with others.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Bhutan giant flying squirrel as Near Threatened due to habitat loss from deforestation and fragmentation. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including logging and human encroachment in their high-altitude forest habitats.