Range

Asia is the native home of the Indian giant squirrel. As their name suggests they can be found in India. Their range is severely fragmented breaking them in to many populations.

Habitat

The Indian giant squirrel can be found in evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. They are intolerant to habitat degradation and when their habitat is cleared they will not move in to the plantations which replace this.

Most of their time is spent in the high canopy.

Reproduction

Breeding is recorded to take place from October to January but some studies suggest it may occur year round. Males compete among one another to gain breeding rights with the most desirable females.

Females create multiple nests from twigs and leaves throughout their habitat.

A litter of Indian giant squirrels will include between 1 and 3 young. Gestation period is not recorded for this species but in a closely related species was 28 to 35 days long.

Sexual maturity is reached at three years for females and four years for males. Females typically breed for the last time at 12 years old.

Behavior

Indian giant squirrels are arboreal with most of their time spent in the trees. They will seek refuge within tree hollows.

These animals are able to leap between two trees covering distances of up to 6m (20ft).

Indian giant squirrels are considered solitary though pairs may remain together throughout the year.

Most of their activity occurs during the day.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the Indian giant squirrel include leopards, civets, snakes, and birds of prey.

Humans affect the population of the Eurasian giant squirrel through habitat degradation to expand plantations and hunting for food. These factors are increasing at an alarming rate and leading to significant population declines.

Quick facts

This species is also known as the Malabar giant squirrel.

It is the state animal in Maharashtra.

Indian giant squirrels are the largest squirrel species in India.