Found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, it inhabits tropical forests, woodlands, and hill regions, where it spends nearly all its time in the trees. With its broad gliding membrane (called a patagium) stretched between its limbs, the Indian giant flying squirrel can sail silently for over 100 meters (328 feet) from tree to tree, making it a master of the night sky.

What makes this squirrel unique is its nocturnal, gliding lifestyle. By day, it hides in tree cavities or leafy nests, resting in family groups or pairs. By night, it becomes active, gliding effortlessly through the canopy in search of food. Its large, dark eyes help it see in low light, and its furry tail acts as a rudder, steering and balancing mid-air. Its diet is mainly herbivorous, consisting of fruits, leaves, seeds, bark, and flowers, though it occasionally supplements with insects.

These squirrels are relatively shy but not solitary. They often live in pairs or small family groups, communicating with a range of calls—some sharp and loud enough to carry through the forest at night. Their glides are also considered part of social behavior, as they sometimes perform spectacular leaps even when food is nearby, perhaps to signal strength or maintain bonds with their group. Despite their size, humans rarely see them because of their nocturnal habits, which adds to their aura of mystery.

In some parts of India, local folklore sees them as “spirits of the forest”, since their silent, sudden nighttime appearances can startle villagers. Unlike bats, they don’t flap but rather glide with precision, making them examples of convergent evolution, where mammals in very different lineages (bats, gliding marsupials, and squirrels) all evolved flight-like abilities. And while they look heavy, they are remarkably graceful—some naturalists describe them as “phantoms of the night canopy.”

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bangladesh

2016

Cambodia

2016

China

2016

India

2016

Laos

2016

Myanmar

2016

Sri Lanka

2016

Taiwan

2016

Thailand

2016

Vietnam

2016