The ecology and behaviour of the large brown flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis Elliot) in a rainforest fragment, Western Ghats (December 1999-April 2000)

The feeding habits and nesting behaviour of the large brown flying squirrel (or Indian giant flying squirrel) Petaurista philippensis were studied between December 1999 and March 2000 in a rainforest fragment in the Anamalai Hills, Western Ghats. The flying squirrels were found to feed on ten plant species during the study period. 62. 75% of the diet was comprised of the fruit and leaves of Ficus racemosa. The fruits of Ficus racemosa were the only fruit seen to be consumed but were the most consumed item in the diet (44.66% of observations). Leaves (38.83%), bark (6.8%), flowers (8.73%) and lichen (0.68%) were also seen to be consumed. Flying squirrels were observed nesting on ten occasions. Flying squirrels seemed to prefer nesting in trees of larger girth (avg. 3.35m ± 0.226) (p = 0.01). Most nest cavities were located at the height of 18.6m, and most cavities (80%) were natural, formed by heart rot where branches had broken off. The encounter rate of P. philippensis was highest along the forest edge (6.11 sightings/km walked) and lowest in the forest interior (3.95 sightings/km walked). Data from 22 spotlighting censuses were used to estimate the density of Petaurista philippensisalong the edge of the fragment. The density was estimated to be 2.56 squirrels ha -1.Report submitted to The Wildlife Conservation Societ