The world’s gliding mammals are an extraordinary group of animals that have the ability to glide from tree to tree with seemingly effortless grace. There are more than 60 species of gliding mammals including the flying squirrels from Europe and North America, the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from central Africa and the gliding possums of Australia and New Guinea.
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae, Pteromyini
Description: One of the largest flying squirrels, its fur is bright chestnut brown with yellow tips to some of the hairs and pale rufous beneath.
Similar to Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel, and unlike all other giant flying squirrels, it has distinct buff-yellow to buff-orange patches on the shoulders, extending along the sides of its body, isolating a distinct maroon saddle.
Distribution: Occurs in Nepal to Sikkim in India. A second population occurs in Bhutan. Its habitat consists of forested regions at an elevation of
Reproduction: Appears to breed between March and April.
Diet: Nothing is known.
Ecology: Nothing is known.
Status: Near Threatened.
Note: This species was formerly included within the Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel, but is now recognised as a distinct species.
| HB | 347–490 mm |
| TL | 378–490 mm |
| HF | c. 77.5 mm |
| M | c. 2710 g |
Petaurista nobilis nobilis — Nepal, and Darjeeling, northern West Bengal and Sikkim, India.
Petaurista nobilis singhei — Gomchu Valley, Bhutan.
Petaurista leucogenys
Petaurista magnificus
Petaurista petaurista
Petaurista philippensis
Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel
Belomys pearsonii
Tibetan Woolly Flying Squirrel
Eupetaurus sp.
Taiwan Giant Flying Squirrel
Petaurista lena
Japanese Flying Squirrel
Pteromys momonga