It is active at night, and feeds on soft plant parts such as young leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits.

The Sunda flying lemurs are often hunted by local people with spears or other lethal equipment for various reasons such as food and fur.

[6] Despite the large and dwarf forms, four subspecies are known: G. v. variegatus (Java), G. v. temminckii (Sumatra), G. v. borneanus (Borneo), and G. v. peninsulae (Peninsular Malaysia and mainland of Southeast Asia)[5] incorporating on the genetic species concept due to geographic isolation and genetic divergence.

Recent molecular and morphological data provide the evidence that the mainland, Javan, and Bornean Sunda flying lemur subspecies may be recognised as three separate species in the genus Galeopterus.

[8] Its gliding membrane connects from the neck, extending along the limbs to the tips of the fingers, toes, and nails.

[12] The Sunda flying lemur is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia, ranging from the Sunda Shelf mainland to other islands – northern Laos,[6] Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia (Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak), Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Bali, Java),[5][13] and many adjacent islands.

[29] After a 60-day gestation period, a single offspring is carried on the mother's abdomen held by a large skin membrane.