Namdapha Flying Squirrel
CR

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

Biswamoyopterus biswasi

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namdapha_flying_squirrel

Overview

The Namdapha flying squirrel is a flying squirrel endemic to Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India, where it is known from a single zoological specimen collected in Namdapha National Park in 1981.

Biswamoyopterus biswasi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in northeastern India. The species' dependence on mature forest canopies makes it particularly vulnerable to logging operations and agricultural conversion. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the montane forest ecosystems this gliding squirrel requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered flying squirrel inhabits mature montane forests in the Eastern Himalayas, particularly in Assam and adjacent regions of northeastern India. It requires dense forest canopies with large trees that provide both nesting sites and gliding corridors between feeding areas.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Namdapha Flying Squirrel classified as Critically Endangered?
Namdapha Flying Squirrel is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Biswamoyopterus biswasi faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in northeastern India. The species' dependence on mature forest canopies makes it particularly vulnerable to logging operations and agricultural conversion. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the montane forest ecosystems this gliding squirrel requires for survival.
Where does Namdapha Flying Squirrel live?
Namdapha Flying Squirrel occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Namdapha Flying Squirrel?
The main threats to Namdapha Flying Squirrel are 11.4, 5.1, 5.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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