Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel

Description: A medium-sized glider which has rufous-brown fur with black flecking on its upper surface. The back and the top of its head range in colour from speckled grey to speckled red-brown. The hairs are blackish with light or red-brown tips.

The fur of its gliding membrane is similar, but the black shows through much more. Its fur is somewhat flattened below and fairly bushy on top, and is light reddish-brown with a grey base. Its throat, breast and belly are creamy white, sometimes with a slight reddish tinge. The underside of its gliding membrane is sparsely covered with red-brown hairs, and the membrane has a white fringe. Tufts of long fur arise from the ear, and there is usually a light area behind the ear. The feet have long tactile hairs.

Distribution: Occurs in the higher elevations of the Himalayas from eastern Nepal, Sikkim to western Bhutan, upper Assam (India). Also found in northern Laos to northern Burma and central Thailand. Further populations occur in south-east and central China and Vietnam.

In Nepal it occurs in forests from 1500–2400 metres down to 900 metres. In China it occurs in dense subtropical and mixed forests at altitudes of 500–2400 metres in the southern part of the range, while to the north it occurs in mixed broad-leaved forest.

Reproduction: Nothing is known.

Diet: Feeds upon leaves and fruits, and in the north and higher latitudes on oak leaves and needles of cedar and pine.

Ecology: Little is known.

Status: Data Deficient.