88 Belomys pearsoniiBelomys pearsonii (Gray, 1842)
Hairy-Footed Flying Squirrel
description: This is a small fl ying squirrel, with large ears
and long black hairs at the base of the ears. The dorsal pel-
age is reddish brown, and the dorsal surface of the patagium
(“wing”) is blackish. The tail is short, bushy, and light
brown. The belly is dark gray, and the ventral surface of the
patagium is dark with a yellowish or orange wash. This spe-
cies is most closely related to Trogopterus xanthipes, which is
larger and more uniformly reddish in color.
size: Female—HB 190.9 mm; T 169.3 mm.
Male—HB 189.2 mm; T 161.0 mm; Mass 155.9 g.
Sex not stated—HB 214.5 mm; T 135.8 mm.
distribution: This species’ range extends from eastern
Nepal, Bhutan, and India (Sikkim to Assam), through China
(Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, and pos-
sibly Sichuan and Hunan), and Taiwan, and southward
through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam (see Agra-
wal and Chakraborty). However, this distribution is ex-
tremely fragmented, warranting additional research.geographic variation: As many as four subspecies are
recognized. Distribution records from Sichuan and Hunan
(China) were identifi ed only at the species level.B. p. pearsonii—Nepal, India (Sikkim to Assam), and Bhutan.
See description above. It is characterized by its rich
ochraceous coloration.
B. p. blandus—Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, and
Hainan (China), Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. This sub-
species is smaller than B. p. pearsonii and has rufescent
underparts.
B. p. kaleensis—Taiwan. This subspecies is similar in appear-
ance to B. p. pearsonii and B. p. blandus, but it has larger
teeth than the latter.
B. p. trichotis—Yunnan (China) and Myanmar. This subspe-
cies has white underparts and narrower tooth rows.conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population
trend—no information.habitat: The hairy-footed fl ying squirrel is found in pri-
mary forests. In the northern part of its range it occurs in
temperate deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous for-
ests, and in the southern part it is found in subtropical for-
ests or mixed stands, at elevations between 800 and 2400 m.Belomys Thomas, 1908
This genus contains a single species. Sequences of the mito-
chondrial cytochrome b gene suggest that Belomys diverged
early from several other fl ying squirrel genera (Glaucomys,
Hy lopetes, Petaurista, Petinomys, and Pteromys); based on mor-
phological characteristics, it appears to be most closely re-
lated to Aeromys, Pteromyscus, and Tr o g o p t e r u s.Belomys pearsonii. Photo courtesy Shih-Wei Chang.