Native to China, Taiwan, and parts of the eastern Himalayas, this squirrel is instantly recognizable by its bold coat of deep rusty-red fur contrasted with white or cream markings, which makes it one of the most colorful gliding mammals in the world. When its gliding membrane, or patagium, is fully extended, it can have a wingspan of nearly a meter. Watching one launch from a treetop at night is a breathtaking experience, as it spreads its limbs wide and sails silently through the canopy.

Unlike birds or bats that flap their wings, this squirrel relies on gliding, using its patagium stretched between its forelimbs and hindlimbs to create lift and steer. With its long, bushy tail acting as a rudder, it can glide for over 100 meters (328 feet) in a single leap, sometimes even making controlled turns mid-air before landing on another tree trunk. This remarkable adaptation allows it to cover vast distances in the forest without ever touching the ground, avoiding predators and saving energy while foraging.

The diet of the red-and-white giant flying squirrel is largely herbivorous, consisting of fruits, leaves, seeds, buds, and bark, though it may occasionally eat insects. In eating fruit and dispersing seeds through its droppings, it plays a critical role in maintaining the biodiversity of its forest ecosystem, acting as an unseen gardener of the night. During the day, it rests in tree hollows or leafy nests, emerging only at dusk to glide and forage. Unlike some smaller squirrels that chatter noisily, this giant flying squirrel is relatively quiet, though it does communicate through calls that can carry across the forest at night.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

2016

Myanmar

2016

Presence Uncertain

Taiwan

2016