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Grey-cheeked flying squirrel

Hylopetes lepidus

MammalThe IUCN status is Leas…

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammal

Habitat

This species inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It prefers dense, old-growth forests with tall trees for gliding and nesting, typically at elevations up to 2,000 meters.

Diet

Grey-cheeked flying squirrels primarily eat fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects, with a preference for items like figs and acorns. They forage nocturnally, gliding between trees to access food sources, and occasionally consume bark or young leaves.

Behavior

These squirrels are nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and gliding up to 50 meters between them. They are generally solitary or live in pairs, establishing territories in forest canopies and building nests in tree hollows. They communicate with soft chirps and are agile climbers, avoiding ground exposure.

Conservation Status

The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend, though habitat loss from deforestation poses a major threat in Southeast Asia.