This is an arboreal and nocturnal species. In South Asia it occurs in dry deciduous forests and evergreen forests. In addition to natural forest, it has been recorded from plantations. It is found to occupy tree canopies and holes (Molur et al. 2005). On Hainan Island it has been found only in large patches of forest, where it was considered abundant (Smith and Xie 2008). On Taiwan they are most abundant in hardwood compared with coniferous forest (Smith and Xie 2008).

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

• 1996
  Lower Risk/least concern

It is locally abundant in Southeast Asia where suitable habitat protection is in place (Duckworth et al. 1994; Duckworth 1998; Evans et al. 2000). It could be in local decline in a few areas in India where it is under heavy hunting pressure (Rajamani pers. comm.). It appears to be in decline in the Western Ghats and also in northeastern India (Molur et al. 2005).

Decreasing

There are no major threats to this species overall. In Southeast Asia, the species seems to be very resilient to threats, but it could decline with increasing habitat loss; although there is no serious evidence of this except where forest is being completely replaced. In South Asia, habitat loss and degradation resulting from logging, shifting cultivation, expansion of human settlements and forest fires are considered to be threats for this species (Molur et al. 2005). It is hunted for local consumption and medicinal purposes in South Asia and China.

It occurs in numerous protected areas in Southeast Asia. In India it is present in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh; Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar; Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka; Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Parambikulam WS, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thathekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala; Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh; Phulwari Wildlife Sanctuary, Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan; Kalakkad-Mundunthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. In Sri Lanka it is known from Horton Plains National Park, Knuckles Forest Reserve in Central Province and Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sabaragamuwa (Molur et al. 2005). The species is included in the Schedule II (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A taxonomic review of populations currently allocated to this species is needed.