Grey-cheeked Flying Squirrel

Description: Similar in appearance to the Arrow-tailed Flying Squirrel, but with greyish cheeks and a pale base to its tail. The hairs of its back and upper parts of the gliding membrane are very short, black, and tipped with chestnut.

The hairs on its chin, chest and the underside of its forelegs are pure white while those on the belly and the undersides of its hind legs are black with white tips. This species is also similar to the Red-cheeked Flying Squirrel but is smaller.

Distribution: Occurs on the southern-most provinces of Thailand (including Terutau Island), Malay Peninsula, Borneo (within Sabah and Sarawak) and in Indonesia including Bunguran Island (Natuna Islands) and Sumatra.

Its habitat appears to be partially cut primary forest and secondary forest. It is sometimes found near fruit and rubber plantations.

Reproduction: Somewhat variable. It has been suggested that its reproduction is linked to fruiting of various rainforest trees. Females have been found pregnant or with young in nests between February and July/August. Pregnancy rates average only 13 per cent with one to three young being produced. In some years it appears that no or few females may breed.

Diet: Includes seeds, fruit, leaves and insects.

Ecology: Observations in the wild suggest this species uses its incisors to excavate a hollow in a tree, beginning where a dead branch has fallen from the tree stem. It then lines the hollow with fibre from the bark of a dying or dead meranti tree (Shorea sp.).

It does not appear to make its home in a fissure or a hole in a tree which it has not made itself. However, it may make a nest in a live tree or in a coconut in which it or another squirrel has gnawed a hole. The nest may be as low as 1 metre above the ground.

Status: Data Deficient.