The Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) is a large tree squirrel species native to India. This extremely beautiful squirrel has a huge bushy tail (about 60cm in length) which is usually longer than the head and body combined. It has a very conspicuous multiple toned color scheme. The upper-parts are dark (brown, black or dark red), the head and limbs are red-brown, and the underside creamy-beige.
This squirrel, alert and wary of any unusual sight and sound, makes massive leaps of 6m (20ft) among branches as it goes from tree to tree searching for food such as fruit, nuts, bark, insects, and eggs. Its characteristic feeding pasture is not upright but leaning forwards or down, perched on its back legs with the tail as a counterbalance. Its short wide thumbs help it to manipulate food.
The Indian Giant Squirrel lives alone or in pairs. It builds the typical squirrel type nest - large and globular with twigs and leaves - for resting and rearing young. Reproduction in this species is not certain but they are thought to breed throughout the year. Females usually produce 1-2 offspring in each litter after a gestation period of 28-35 days.
4 comments:
What a great picture! I've never seen a photo of one of these squirrels before - it has such unusual markings!
I really like your blog (I found it on bloggers.com) and all the animal posts. I'll definitely follow it :)
Hello Catherine,
I´m very happy to know that you like my blog :)
This creature is absolutely adorable.
I'm glad to see this blog and befriend with you.
Thank you so much Eckhart. Glag to have met you - you have a nice blog as well - i have connected to it via GFC.
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