Aman's Top 5 Squirrels

1) The Indian (Malabar) giant squirrel tops the list due to its distinct colouration and size. It is a prodigious multi-coloured species of tree squirrel which is endemic to India. Found in forested areas, this species is a herbivore and has adopted an arboreal way of living. Among squirrel species, the Indian giant squirrel is one of the largest squirrels with a length of 25-50 cm and a weight of around 1.5-2 kg. Additionally, it is a diurnal species and is very easy to spot. Being the state animal of Maharashtra, you should plan on spotting this magnificent creature.

2) The black giant squirrel is another species of squirrel found in India and the rest of South-East Asia. It is one of the largest squirrels in the world and can be identified with its black fur and light face. Found in rainforests, it is an arboreal species and feeds on herbivorous food sources. 30% of the black giant squirrel’s population has been lost in the last 10 years and this is attributed to human activity like deforestation and overhunting. Despite that, it thrives in some renowned protected areas like the Kaziranga National Park and Neora Valley National Park in North East India.

3) The red and white giant flying squirrel is a unique species of squirrel found in China and Taiwan. The unique feature about this squirrel is that it can move between treetops by gliding. They can glide up to 400 m and this is achieved through its patagium. It is a nocturnal animal and feeds on a herbivorous diet of nuts, fruits and insects. This species is the largest species of flying squirrel and perhaps the most beautiful, due to its red body coat and white face.

4) The grizzled giant squirrel is another species of tree squirrel found in the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest of the giant squirrels found in India and its range is restricted to parts of Southern India and Sri Lanka. The majority of the squirrel’s body is grey, however streaks of white run across its body too. These squirrels have a different diet composition and are known to eat fruits, nuts, insects, bird eggs, and the bark of some trees. Very rarely descending, these squirrels are very agile on tree tops. Three subspecies of these squirrels are found in India and Sri Lanka, each with intricate and unique differences.

5) The red squirrel is a small species of tree squirrel which is found throughout Eurasia. It is known for its reddish-brown coat colours that are not very common in other squirrel species. Red squirrels occupy boreal and coniferous forests and feed mostly on the seeds of trees. They are very small in size, reaching a length of 19-23 cm and weight of 250-340 g. These species were threatened with extinction due to competition with the invasive eastern grey squirrel, however intense conservation has increased their numbers in recent years!