Wildlifeof Nepal
Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel
Squirrels & Flying SquirrelsPetaurista magnificus
Basic stats
Diet
Nuts, acorns, leaves, buds, flowers, resin and insects
Habitat
Himalayan forest, mostly at 1,500-2,700m
Range
Nepal, Bhutan, southern Tibet, Sikkim and north-east India
Litter size
Usually one young
Size
Head and body 36-51cm; tail 41-55cm
Weight
1.35-1.8kg
Hodgson's giant flying squirrel is a nocturnal rodent of Himalayan forests. Adults measure 36 to 51cm in head and body with a 41 to 55cm tail and weigh 1.35 to 1.8kg. They have chestnut-maroon upperparts, cream-buff shoulders and orange-buff underparts (Wikipedia, general species account).
It eats nuts, acorns, leaves, buds, flowers, resin and insects and glides up to 100m between trees. Females may be pregnant in November and litters usually hold one young. It occurs in Nepal, Bhutan, southern Tibet, Sikkim and north-east India, mostly at 1,500 to 2,700m. It was described in 1836 and was often confused with the Bhutan giant flying squirrel (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel eat?
- Nuts, acorns, leaves, buds, flowers, resin and insects
- What habitat does the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel live in?
- Himalayan forest, mostly at 1,500-2,700m
- Where is the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel found?
- Nepal, Bhutan, southern Tibet, Sikkim and north-east India
- What is the litter size of the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel?
- Usually one young
- How big is the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel?
- Head and body 36-51cm; tail 41-55cm
- How much does the Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel weigh?
- 1.35-1.8kg