Description

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Context

A rare sighting of the Indian giant flying squirrel has been reported in Ranikhet, a picturesque hill station in Uttarakhand.

General Profile

Attribute	Details
Scientific Name	Petaurista philippensis
Size	Body: 30–45 cm; Tail: up to 60 cm
Appearance	Rufous coat, grey underparts, large round eyes and a gliding membrane
Habitat	Tropical, subtropical, evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests
Distribution	Widely found in central and southern India; patchy in Himalayan foothills
Gliding Ability	Can glide up to 60 meters between trees using its patagium (flying membrane)

Ecological Role & Diet

Diet

Omnivorous with a preference for Fruits, nuts, tender leaves, flowers and bark.

Ecological Role

A keystone species aiding in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling.

Their movement across trees helps in maintaining genetic diversity of forest flora.

Behaviour

Nocturnal (active at night) and arboreal (tree dwelling).

Exhibits alarm calls when detecting predators like owls.

Generally shy and rarely seen due to its nocturnal nature.

Protection & Conservation Status

Protection Law	Details
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972	Listed in Schedule II – offers protection but permits some regulated use
IUCN Red List	Least Concern globally
Indian Conservation Assessment	Considered Near Threatened due to habitat loss in specific regions

Threats to Survival

Habitat Fragmentation due to logging, road expansion, and encroachments.

Deforestation & Land Use Change especially in Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

Light Pollution affects its nocturnal behaviour and navigation.

Predation Pressure from natural predators like owls and snakes.

Perceived as pests in some areas due to fruit consumption.

Sources:

NEWINDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel consider the following statements:

It is endemic to the Western Ghats and does not occur in the Himalayas.
It is primarily frugivorous but plays no significant role in seed dispersal.
It is nocturnal and uses a patagium to glide between trees.
It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. 2 and 4 only

Answer: A.

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The Indian giant flying squirrel is not endemic to the Western Ghats. It is found across central, southern and parts of northeastern India including some patchy sightings in Himalayan regions like Ranikhet.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

It does play a major role in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling especially due to its frugivorous diet.

Statement 3 is correct.

It is nocturnal and uses a patagium flying membrane to glide between trees that is a key adaptation of flying squirrels.

Statement 4 is incorrect.

It is listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.