Squirrels of the World

Aeromys thomasi 87

2000; R. W. Thorington and Heaney 1981; R. W. Thoring-
ton, Pitassy, et al. 2002; R. W. Thorington and Santana
2007.

Aeromys thomasi (Hose, 1900)

Thomas’s Flying Squirrel

description: A. thomasi is uniformly dark brown or black.
It is larger than its congener A. tephromelas, but similar in
coloration.

size: Female—HB 343.3 mm; T 410.0 mm; Mass 1117.0 g.
Male—HB 300.0 mm; T 370.0 mm.
Sex not stated—HB 363.3 mm; T 380.0 mm; Mass 1423.3 g.

distribution: This species occurs in most of the island of
Borneo (divided among Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and
Indonesia), except the southeastern portion of the island.

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population
trend—no information.

habitat: A. thomasi is found in lowland to midaltitude for-
ests in montane regions on the island of Borneo. Although

no reliable information is available, this species is likely to

be threatened by habitat loss due to human activities.

natural history: A nocturnal frugivore, Thomas’s fl ying

squirrel may be relatively common, but no data are available

on the population biology of this species. Information on its

ecology and behavior is also limited. Recent camera-trap

photographs taken in Kalimantan (Indonesia) were errone-

ously identifi ed as a new species of carnivore, but the ani-

mals were subsequently identifi ed as A. thomasi.

general references: W. P. Harris 1944; Meijaard et al.

2006; Ruedas et al. 2008a.

Aeromys thomasi. Photo courtesy David Bakewell.