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Whiskered flying squirrel

Petinomys genibarbis

MammalThe IUCN status for the…

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammal

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia, including regions like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They prefer dense canopies in lowland and montane forests, often at elevations up to 2,000 meters, where they can glide between trees.

Diet

Whiskered flying squirrels mainly eat fruits, nuts, seeds, and leaves, which they forage at night in the forest canopy. They may also consume insects and bark, using their sharp incisors to access food sources.

Behavior

These squirrels are nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and gliding up to 50 meters between them to find food or escape threats. They are generally solitary but may share nests in tree hollows, and they exhibit territorial behavior by marking their areas with scent.

Conservation Status

The IUCN status for the Whiskered flying squirrel is Least Concern, with populations considered stable, though habitat loss due to deforestation poses a significant threat.