Red Giant Flying Squirrel

The red giant flying squirrel is one of the largest tree squirrels. All populations have at least some reddish-brown above and pale underparts, but colours vary a lot geographically. The tail is brown, often with a black tip, and the hands and feet are blackish. Like other flying squirrels it is mainly nocturnal and glides between trees on its patagium (Wikipedia, general species account).

The white-bellied form from the western and central Himalayas, reaching at least Nepal, is now often treated as a separate species, so the Nepal animal may not be this one. In Nepal that form occurs at 150 to 1,500m. The day is usually spent in a tree hole 10m or more above ground, and most glides are 50m or less. Nationally Least Concern (Nepal National Red List 2011).