Smoky flying squirrel

The smoky flying squirrel (Pteromyscus pulverulentus) is a species of rodents in the family Sciuridae. It is monotypic within the genus Pteromyscus.[2] It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, and southern Thailand, but its range may be more extensive than currently mapped. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is listed as endangered because of estimated population loss of 50% in past and future, judging from extensive and rapid habitat loss.

Not to be confused with Peromyscus.

Smoky flying squirrel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Pteromyscus
Thomas, 1908
Species:
P. pulverulentus
Binomial name
Pteromyscus pulverulentus
(Günther, 1873)

According to records of sightings from Borneo and Malaysia, the species is only rarely sighted even in primary/pristine forest, although it lives mainly in these conditions. A threat to the population is habitat loss due to lower elevational range, restricting or preventing long-distance gliding needed to maintain a large range. It eats mostly fruits, nuts, and fungi found on nocturnal forays through the trees.

References
  1. Aplin, K. & Duckworth, J. W. (2008). "Pteromyscus pulverulentus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Pteromyscus Thomas, 1908". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.


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