SUMMER DIET OF INDIAN GIANT FLYING SQUIRREL PETAURISTA PHILIPPENSIS (ELLIOT) IN SITAMATA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

摘要

Summer feeding habit of the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis was studied from March 2009 to June 2009 in Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary. These squirrels are arboreal and entirely depend on plant material. Of 2,157 feeding records, 13plant species from 10 families were identified in their feeding behaviour. Used food items were piths (58.59%), twigs (16.87%), leaves (5.09%), bark (2.64%), flowers (5.23%), buds (4.82%), fruits (6.44%) and seeds (0.27%). Mahuwa Madhuca longifolia was apredominant species in their feeding. They are early rising and use their early active time in feeding after which their activity lowers during night.