40) ~ Sri Lanka Whiskered Flying Squirrel ~

More about 40) ~ Sri Lanka Whiskered Flying Squirrel ~

***Sri Lanka Whiskered Flying Squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus)***

Sinhala name: ශ්‍රී ලංකා ගිලින් හුළන් උදුරු (Sri Lanka Gilin Hulan Uduru)
Family: Sciuridae

Overview

The Sri Lanka Whiskered Flying Squirrel is a rare, nocturnal, and endemic gliding mammal found only in Sri Lanka’s wet-zone rainforests. It is among the least seen and least studied mammals on the island due to its secretive behavior and fragmented habitat. Using its special skin flaps (patagium), it can glide between trees — an adaptation that allows it to move safely across the forest canopy at night.

Habitat
Preferred areas: Lowland and mid-elevation rainforests of southwestern Sri Lanka, such as Sinharaja, Kanneliya, and Kitulgala.

Elevation range: Up to about 1,200 meters above sea level.

Habitat type: Dense, mature forests with continuous canopy — essential for gliding movement and nesting.

Behavior & Ecology
Activity: Strictly nocturnal; spends the day resting in tree hollows or dense foliage.

Diet: Primarily frugivorous and herbivorous — eats fruits, young leaves, bark, and sometimes insects.

Movement: Glides using a membrane of skin stretching between forelimbs and hindlimbs, controlled by its limbs and tail for balance.

Social behavior: Usually solitary or seen in pairs.

Call: High-pitched squeaks, often heard at night in forest interiors.

Physical Description
Body length: About 20–25 cm, with a tail of similar length.

Appearance:
Dense, soft, grayish-brown fur with a lighter underbelly.

Distinct white whiskers and dark “cap” on the head — giving it the name Whiskered Flying Squirrel.

Tail is flattened and furry, used for steering during glides.

Eyes: Large and adapted for night vision.

Reproduction
Breeding season: Not well documented, but believed to coincide with the rainy season when food is abundant.

Nest: Tree hollows or leaf nests lined with moss and fibers.

Litter size: Usually 1-2 young per breeding cycle.

Parental care: The mother nurses and protects the young in tree hollows.

Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (Sri Lanka population)

Main threats:
Deforestation and loss of canopy connectivity due to tea, rubber, and cinnamon plantations.

Fragmentation of rainforest patches restricting gliding and gene flow.

Possible predation by civets, snakes, and domestic cats.

Protection: Occurs in protected areas like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, but populations remain small and isolated.

Interesting Facts
Despite its name, it does not fly it glides using the patagium, covering distances up to 20-30 meters between trees.

Once thought extinct, it was rediscovered in 2002 in Sinharaja after over 100 years without confirmed sightings.

Its survival depends on undisturbed forest canopies - even small gaps from deforestation can isolate populations.

It’s one of the most elusive mammals in Sri Lanka and a true symbol of rainforest conservation.

2025 November 12