Record of Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista phillippensis), Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) and Madras Tree Shrew (Anathana ellioti) from Surguja, Chhattisgarh, India

Pratik Thakur; Himanshu Gupta

doi:10.55863/ijees.2025.0713

Authors

Pratik Thakur Prakriti Shodh Evam Sanrakshan Welfare Society, Dongargarh, 491445, Chhattisgarh, India
Himanshu Gupta Government Hospital, Surguja, 497001, Chhattisgarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55863/ijees.2025.0713

Keywords:

Indian giant flying squirrel, indian giant squirrel, madras tree shrew, small mammals, Chhattisgarh, Surguja, Anathana Ellioti, Ratufa Indica, Petaurista phillippensis

Abstract

Small mammals are crucial for maintaining ecological balance as indicators of environmental health, seed dispersers, and prey for various predators. However, insufficient environmental data hinders the conservation of many rare and threatened species. Among these species are the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista phillippensis, the Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica, and the Madras Tree Shrew Anathana ellioti. This study aimed to document new distribution records for these species through field surveys supplemented by information from existing literature and newspaper reports. We used this information to map the species’ presence in Chhattisgarh state. The findings will contribute to filling existing gaps in the species distribution records and inform future conservation strategies for these less-studied mammals.

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