Petaurista philippensis 119natural history: Like several other members of the ge-
nus, P. petaurista is highly folivorous, but it is also known to
eat seeds, fruits (e.g., fi gs of Ficus), fl owers, buds, bark, and
lichens. In northern Pakistan, P. petaurista is reported to
feed on the leaves of 27 tree species. Bark stripping is re-
ported in Taiwan. This nocturnal species gives a species-
specifi c call, often at dusk. Leaf nests are occasionally
used, but P. petaurista usually nests in tree cavities and rock
crevices. In Taiwan, two reproductive peaks occur: one in
spring, and another in late autumn. This species is often
observed in pairs. Males enter reproductive conditions ear-
lier than females. About 50 percent of the females reproduce
during each season, and it is not known if a female can have
more than one litter in a year. In Taiwan, litters range from
one to two but are usually just one. P. petaurista is hunted for
food and medicinal purposes in various parts of its range. In
northeastern India, for example, the red giant fl ying squir-
rel is cooked and eaten as an antidote for poison, and the
bile is boiled as a remedy for asthma.general references: Kakati et al. 2006; Lambert 1990;
Lee 1998; Lee, Lin, et al. 1993; Lee, Progulske, et al. 1986,
1993; Oshida, Lin, et al. 2000; Oshida, Satoh, et al. 1991; Os-
hida, Shafi que, et al. 2004; Shafi que et al. 2006; A. T. Smith
and Xie 2008; R. W. Thorington and Heaney 1981; Umapathy
and Kumar 2000; Walston, Duckworth, Sarker, et al. 2008.Petaurista philippensis (Elliot, 1839)
Indian Giant Flying Squirreldescription: Among members of the genus, the Indian
giant fl ying squirrel is second in size only to P. nobilis. Its
dorsal pelage is uniformly dark gray or black; the tail is long,
and the pelage of the ventral surface is brownish to buff
colored. The front of the ears is reddish.size: Female—HB 457.2 mm; T 536.7 mm.
Male—HB 457.7 mm; T 474.0 mm.
Sex not stated—HB 463.2 mm; T 538.1 mm; Mass 2268.0 g.Petaurista petaurista. Photo courtesy David Bakewell.