About Giant Malabar Squirrel:
- The Malabar Giant Squirrel, also known as the Indian Giant Squirrel, is a large multicoloured tree squirrel species endemic to India.
- It is one of the largest squirrels in the world.
- Scientific Name: Ratufa indica.
- Habitat and Distribution:
- It is found primarily in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Satpura Range.
- It is found in areas with elevation ranging from 180 to 2,300 metres in tropical deciduous, semi-deciduous, and wet evergreen forests and
- It is arboreal and spends most of its time in the upper canopy, leaping from tree to tree with incredible agility, jumping up to 6 metre length.
- It makes its shelter within holes in trees.
- It is Maharashtra’s state animal and locally known as Shekru.
- Features:
- They are typically solitary animals, being seen only rarely in pairs during the breeding season.
- Instead of running, it frequently freezes or flattens itself against the tree stem when threatened.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
