Squirrels of the World

100 Hylopetes lepidus

Hylopetes lepidus (Horsfi eld, 1822)

Gray-Cheeked Flying Squirrel

description: H. lepidus is a small fl ying squirrel, similar in
size and pelage coloration to H. platyurus and H. spadiceus.
These three species have long been considered problematic,
because of their overlapping characteristics. Recent mor-
phometric studies, however, show that the three can be dis-
tinguished by a multivariate analysis of their external mea-
surements and craniodental dimensions, with H. lepidus
intermediate in size between H. platyurus and H. spadiceus.
The cheeks and ventral base of the tail of H. lepidus are pink-
ish and intermediate in coloration to the other two species;
H. platyurus is mostly gray in color, and H. spadiceus is a red-
dish orange.

size: Female—HB 122.9 mm; T 123.3 mm; Mass 43.3 g.
Male—HB 115.1 mm; T 91.5 mm; Mass 38.8 g.
Sex not stated—HB 127.1 mm; T 102.3 mm.

distribution: The gray-cheeked fl ying squirrel is native to
the island of Java and Bangka Island (Indonesia). Although
the full extent of its range is not well known, it appears to
be represented by two widely separated populations.

geographic variation: None. This species is monotypic.
This species was previously called Hylopetes sagitta Lin-
naeus, 1766. It also formerly included H. platyurus. More in-

formation is needed to clarify the relationship between H.

lepidus and H. platyurus.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: The specifi c habitat requirements of the gray-

cheeked fl ying squirrel are not well known. In western

Malaysia H. lepidus (but probably H. platyurus instead) is

reported to be relatively abundant in older stands and sec-

ondary forests at elevations below 3000 m, but it is less com-

mon in disturbed forests or plantations.

natural history: Similarly, little is known about the nat-

ural history of this species, and the species accounts may be

confused between H. lepidus and H. platyurus. Reproduction

may occur irregularly, but pregnant females have been re-

ported in both February–March and July–August. One spe-

cies of sucking louse is reported from this host.

general references: Duckworth and Hedges 2008b;

Durden and Adams 2005; Muul and Liat 1971, 1974; Nor 2001;

Rasmussen and Thorington 2008; R. W. Thorington, Mus-

ante, et al. 1996.

Hylopetes nigripes (Thomas, 1893)

Palawan Flying Squirrel

description: This is a large member of the genus. It is

grizzled grayish brown dorsally; is whitish to grayish white

on the throat, chest, and abdomen; and has large ears that

are thinly haired and blackish toward the tip. The tail is

thickly furred and indistinctly distichous, with the proxi-

mal hairs broadly tipped with brown, and the more distal

hairs fully dark brown.

size: Female—HB 283.2 mm; T 313.9 mm.

Male—HB 264.1 mm; T 314.6 mm.

Sex not stated—HB 270.0 mm; Mass 534.0 g.

distribution: Endemic to the Philippines, H. nigripes is

found only on the islands of Palawan and Bancalan in the

Palawan Faunal Region.

geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.

H. n. nigripes—Palawan (Philippines). See description above.

H. n. elassodontus—Bancalan (Philippines). This is a smaller

subspecies.

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