The Indian Giant Squirrel – State Animal of Maharashtra

The Indian Giant Squirrel - State Animal of Maharashtra

The Indian giant squirrel is a large squirrel native to India measuring about 36 cm (head and body length) and the tail length is approximately 60 cm long. This squirrel can be seen in tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests of Western Ghats. Most often stays in tree canopies and required tall profusely branched trees for the construction of nests. They are omnivorous, feeds on flowers, fruits, eggs, insects, leaves and even bark. They could leap from tree to tree, jumping a distance of 6 meters or longer. Its main predators are the birds of prey and the leopard. Bhimashakar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune is well known for having a good population of this species.

(This photo was taken at Parvati Hill in Pune (Maharashtra)).