INDIAN GIANT SQUIRRELS — THE WORLD’S LARGEST SQUIRRELS
Indian giant squirrels (Ratufa indica) are recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest squirrels. Also known as the Malabar giant squirrel and nicknamed the rainbow squirrel because of their colorful fur markings, this species is endemic to southern India, and mainly found in tropical deciduous, semi-deciduous and moist evergreen forests and woodlands in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Satpura Range in the Indiam states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka but sighted as far north as Madhya Pradesh at elevations between 180 and 2,300 meters (590 and 7,550 feet). [Source: Wikipedia]
About twice the length of American eastern gray squirrels, Indian giant squirrels are arboreal (live mainly in trees), diurnal (active during the daytime), and motile (move around as opposed to being stationary). They are mainly herbivorious (primarily eat plants or plants parts), eating fruits, leaves, bark, seeds, occasionally bird eggs and insects, The Indian giant squirrel generally nests in tall trees with a mean height of 11 meters (36 feet) in order to avoid predators.
Indian giant squirrels are generally solitary, only forming pairs during their two breeding seasons — between February and March and again in August to September, which during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. These squirrels build multiple round nests, known as dreys, high up in the trees. They use forks in the branches to support the nests and interweave them with the stems of climbing plants, and pad them with leaves. Unlike many other squirrels, Indian giant squirrels store food in the treetops.
Indian giant squirrels are found in a fragmented range, suffer from habitat loss and are intolerant of habitat degradation but they are not endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they are in Appendix II, which lists species not necessarily threatened with extinction now but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. /=\
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Indian Giant Squirrel Characteristics and Colors
Indian giant squirrels have a head–and–body length of 25 to 50 centimeters (10 inches to 1 foot 8 inches) and a tail about the same or somewhat longer. They weigh 1.5 to two kilograms (3.3–4.4 pounds), and rarely up to three kilograms (6.6 pounds). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar. The average head and body length for both sexes is about 36 centimeters (one foot, two inches), with a 45-centimeter (1-foot-6-inch) tail. The avergae weight is around 1.7–1.8 kilograms (3.7–4.0 pounds)
Indian giant squirrels have a distincive and catchy one-, two-, or three-toned color scheme involving two or more of the following colors whitish, creamy-beige, buff, tan, rust, reddish-maroon, brown, dark seal brown, or black. The underparts and the front legs are usually cream coloured, and the head can be brown or beige. There is a distinctive white spot between the ears. Otherwise the colours depend on the subspecies.
Megan Shersby wrote in Live Science: Although the stomach and arms of Indian giant squirrels are a creamy-beige color, the rest of their pelage is a little more fancy — with hues of orange, purple and red...But why are Indian giant squirrels so colorful? Scientists aren't sure, but the colorful coats may help them camouflage themselves in their forest homes. One study published in 2021 reported an Indian ground squirrel sitting completely still in leafy branches for half an hour while a serpent eagle hovered above. "They remain calm and quiet," the authors wrote, adding that they spread their legs and gripped the branches to help avoid detection. [Source: Megan Shersby, Live Science, January 27, 2024]
Ten subspecies have been described, but scientists generally recognize four: 1) R. i. indica, found in the northern and central Western Ghats from around Mumbai to Karnataka has a rich reddish-maroon or reddish-brown upper part; 2) R. i. centralis, found in central and eastern India, notably in the Satpura Range and Eastern Ghats, is relatively small and further differs from R. i. indica by its black shoulder region; 3) R. i. dealbata, found in southern Gujarat and far northern Western Ghats region), is paler and may be extinct or an albino; and 4) R. i. maxima, found in southern Western Ghats, resembles a large R. i. centralis, but with more extensive black in the shoulder region and on the rump.
Red Giant Flying Squirrels
Red giant flying squirrels (Petaurista petaurista) are also known as common giant flying squirrels and giant flying squirrels. Among the largest tree-dwelling squirrels, they range across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and China from the eastern border regions of Afghanistan to Java, and from Kashmir, Taiwan, and southern China to Sri Lanka. Its greatest numbers are found in the forest regions of Pakistan. [Source: Sarah Newlin and James Bradshaw, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
The diet of red giant flying squirrels consists primarily of pine cones, tree buds, leaves, young branches, and, when in season, various fruits and nuts. In captivity, they eat raisins and nuts and refuse shrubs and other leafy substances. Red giant flying squirrels make their nests in the tree cavities of densely forested areas in forests. Their average lifespan in captivity is 16 years. The two main predators of red giant flying squirrels are the charsa marten and the bengal cat, which are able to surprise the squirrel while it sleeps.
Within their geographic range red giant flying squirrels are quite common.The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern”. However, the cutting and burning of forest regions have significantly reduced the size of their habitats. They are sometimes hunted. Their pelt have been seen for sale in markets in Murree and Rawalpindi.
Red Giant Flying Squirrel Characteristics, Behavior and Reproduction
On average Red giant flying squirrels weigh 1.750 kilograms (almost two pounds) and 61.67 ounces) and have a head and body length average 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) and a tail that is 42.2 centimeters (16.6 inches) long. Red giant flying squirrels are characterized their large eyes and mahogany-red coloring, though coloration varies with environment. Four digits are found on the forefeet and five digits, all of which have curved and sharp claws, are found on the hind feet. [Source: Sarah Newlin and James Bradshaw, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Red giant flying squirrels have a distinctive, thickly haired flying membrane that extends from its wrists to its hind legs and is further expanded by a skin fold between the tail root and the hind legs. This membrane is composed of sheets of muscles that can be tensed or relaxed at will, thus controlling the direction of glide. In addition, there is a large spur on the edge of this membrane that helps to support it.
Red giant flying squirrels are excellent climbers and excellent gliders; some were observed gliding for up to 75 meters. They begin their glide usually by jumping off the topmost branches of a tree. While in flight, they control the direction and speed of the glide by tensing and relaxing their membrane muscles. When at rest, their flying membrane are folded close into their bodies.
Red giant flying squirrels sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell. They are generally solitary and nocturnal (active at night), and are most active and vocal in the evening. They produce a low, monotonous moan that is believed to be a mating call. Although the regions where these squirrels live can become quite cold during the winter season they does not hibernate, but they may migrate to areas where food is more abundant. /=\
As Red giant flying squirrels are a nocturnal and spend their high up in trees, little is known about its reproductive activities. Mating is believed to occur twice a year and the young are generally born between early March and early August. Evidence gathered thus far suggests that they have two to three young per litter and wean them after about two and a half months. A concealed nest is made by the mother.
Indian Giant Flying Squirrels
Indian giant flying squirrels (Petaurista philippensis) are widely distributed across Asia — in South Asia, mainland of Southeast Asia, and central and southern China. In South Asia they have a fragmented distribution in Sri Lanka and India, primarily concentrated in the Himalayan Mountains and northeast regions north of Bombay and Rajastan. In Southeast Asia they are found in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos but not Malaysia or Indonesia. In China, Indian giant flying squirrels have been has recorded in Yunnan, Hainan Island, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. They can also be found on Taiwan.[Source: Brandi Ringgenberg, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Indian giant flying squirrels make their homes in tree cavities and occupy the tree canopy. They live in deciduous and evergreen forests of South Asia, hardwood forests of Taiwan, and patches of forests on Hainan Island. In Southeast Asia they can be found in tropical rainforests and subtropical rainforests from 0 to 500 meters in elevation. temperate broad leafed forests from 500 to 1,800 meters, and temperate mixed forests from 1,800 to 2,500 meters. They are often sighted on the edges of forests, or within plantations among their primary food source, fig trees.
Indian giant flying squirrels may their numbers limited in certain areas but overall they are endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. They are regarded as crop pests in some places and most negatively impacted by habitat loss but appear to adapt fairly well to environments that have been affected by humans.
See Indian Giant Flying Squirrels Under FLYING SQUIRRELS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA factsanddetails.com
Travancore Flying Squirrels
Travancore flying squirrels (Petinomys fuscocapillus) were previously classified as Sciuropterus fusco-capillus and are also known as Travancore gliding squirrel and small Ceylon flying squirrels. They live in Sri Lanka and the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra in southern India. Travancore is name of former kingdom in Kerala in southern India. Based on a closely related species, it is estimated that these animals have a lifespan of three to three and half years. No Travancore flying squirrels are currently held in captivity. [Source: Mary Harman, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
There are two subspecies of the Travancore flying squirrel are distinguished by their geographic location rather than their physical appearance. 1) Petinomys fuscocapillus, found in the Western Ghats of southern India, and 2) Petinomys layardi, found in Sri Lanka. Sightings of the Travancore flying squirrel in Peninsular India have occurred in Nilgris, High Wavy Mountains, and Anamalais in Tamil Nadu, the forests of Travancore and the Malabar Coast in Kerala, and also the western foothills of Western Ghats in Karnataka. In Sri Lanka, they to occur in the wet and dry zones of the Southern, Central, North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces.
Travancore flying squirrels inhabit tropical lowland evergreen forests and deciduous forests in southern India and Sri Lanka at elevations of 500 to 2000 meters (1640 to 6562 feet). The areas they inhabit have high rainfall with few dry months and are relatively warm climate. Especially in Sri Lanka, where much of their original forest habitat has been altered by plantation agriculture they sometimes make their home in marginal forests near agricultural plantations.
Even though they are relatively rare and found in a relatively small areas Travancore flying squirrels are not considered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies them as a species of “Least Concern”. They have been hunted for foo but their main threat comes from habitat destruction. Some members of the species adapted to living near agriculture areas and are regarded as crop pests. These flying squirrels have no known natural predators.
Travancore Flying Squirrel Characteristics and Behavior
Travancore flying squirrels are small to medium sized squirrels with an average weight of 0.8 kilograms (1.75 pounds). They have a a head and body length of about 31.7 centimeters (12.5 inches) Its tail ranges from 24.4 to 32 centimeters (9.6 to 12.6 inches) long, The squirrel’s coat is moderately long and dense with a glossy finish, and reddish-brown color, especially on the back side. The underside is covered by shorter, less dense fur that is a whitish-grey color. Travancore flying squirrels have a fur-lined, membranous skin flap (patagium) that extends from its wrists to its ankles that they use to glide.
Travancore flying squirrels are arboreal (live mainly in trees), nocturnal (active at night), crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary) and able to glide. They sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell. They are believed to be most active at dawn and dusk. Sightings suggest that they mostly and live within tree trunks where they spend the majority of their day.
Their feeding habits are not well studied, but based on the feeding habits of similar species, it is believed they eat wild fruits, seeds, nuts, leaves and vegetation. Females have been reported to have about two young per litter. The gestation period, age of maturity, and breeding season are still unknown. Parental care is carried out by females, who raises the young within a hole in a tree trunk lined with vegetation.
Woolly Flying Squirrels —The Flying Squirrels That Don't Live in Trees
Woolly flying squirrels (Eupetaurus cinereus) live in northern parts of the Himalayan and Karakorum ranges. All specimens have been collected from the rugged, mountainous region of northern Pakistan, but it is believed their range extends somewhat into Tibet. The places where they live consist mainly of rocky terrain at and above the timber line, with a few isolated pockets of conifer forest. Very little is known about woolly flying squirrels, but they of great interests to zoologists due to their restricted geographical distribution and unique adaptations they have that allows them thrive in a habitat with relatively few trees, which would be intolerable to other flying squirrel species. [Source: Eric Palkovacs, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
What is known about woolly flying squirrels is based primarily on about ten specimens of them that have been collected. Like other flying squirrels, they have an has elastic membranes on each side of the body connecting the fore and hind legs. They are slightly larger in size and have shorter, bushier tail than Red giant flying squirrels, which also inhabits Pakistan. One woolly flying squirrel specimen measured 61 centimeters (two feet) from the top of its head to to the base of its tail and had 38-centimeter (15-inch) -long tails. The body is covered by a dense coat of straight, silky hairs. The fur on the back appears blue-gray, while the underside is pale gray in color. Creamy white hairs cover the throat and ears, and dense, black fur covers the soles of the feet except for the naked, pinkish brown toe pads.. Molars have relatively high crowns compared to the low crowned, brachyodont molars of all other flying squirrel genera. Unlike other flying squirrels, the claws of woolly flying squirrels are blunt and adapted for rocky terrain instead of for trees.
The high crowned molars of woolly flying squirrels suggest a diet of tough vegetation. They primarily eat the buds and cones of native spruce trees — Picea morinda. At high elevations, Picea morinda begins producing buds in April and cones in late summer. The cones are shed in winter when the ground is covered by snow, meaning that, by early spring, food for Woolly flying squirrels may be in extremely short supply. During these hard times, it is presumed that woolly flying squirrels turn to mosses and lichens as a main food source.
Despite the harsh winter conditions in the northern Himalayas and Karakorum mountains, woolly flying squirrels do not hibernate. They are active all winter, searching for mosses and lichens on rocks and venturing into the boreal forests when buds and cones become available. Because of their large size and blunt claws which appear useless for gripping bark, it is thought woolly flying squirrels rarely, if ever, go into trees.
Kashmir Flying Squirrels
Kashmir flying squirrel (Eoglaucomys fimbriatus) live in moist temperate forests containing a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees in northeastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and northern India and are particularly associated with Kashmir, the Punjab and the southern Himalayan region, where they reside at elevations of 1800 to 3500 meters (5905 to 11483 feet). Kashmir flying squirrels have their unique genus classification (Eoglaucomys) because they may be more closely related to the new world species of flying squirrels (Glaucomys) than to old world ones (Hylopetes). [Source: Hunter Whitten, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Kashmir flying squirrels make their nest in tree cavities in a variety of deciduous and coniferous tree species, but especially Himalayan elm, Asian maple, Himalayan yew and deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara). There are reports of them living in drier coniferous forests as well as man-made structures. Their range overlaps with that of red giant flying squirrels, who may outcompete Kashmir flying squirrels by taking the best nesting sites. There’s a Kashmir flying squirrel subspecies known as the Afghan flying squirrel (Eoglaucomys fimbriatus baberi).
Kashmir flying squirrels are listed as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List but it is noted that their habitat is very fragmented and declining in quality. Agriculture, logging, human expansion, and predation by humans have decreased this species habitat by 50 percent in the last 50 years. Their primary natural predators are yellow throated marten and Scully's Wood Owl.
Kashmir Flying Squirrel Characteristics and Diet
Kashmir flying squirrels is a relatively small squirrel. They range in weight from 500 to 666 grams (17.6 to 23.5 ounces) and have a head and body length that ranges from 23.5 to 29.7 centimeters (9.25 to 11.7 inches). Their tail is 25.3 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar except that females have six mammae. [Source: Hunter Whitten, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=\
Kashmir flying squirrels have distinctively long vibrissae (whiskers) and a tail is wider at the base than at the tip. The glide using long flaps of loose skin that run from the hindquarters to the front limbs. Their gliding ability is somewhat limited they have only been observed traveling 16 meters (50 feet0 or so. The fur of Kashmir flying squirrels varies from a creamy white or greyish color on its belly to a blackish on the back and tail. Their very large eyes suit their nocturnal lifestyle and reflect when light is shined on them.
Kashmir flying squirrels are herbivores (primarily eat plants or plants parts). Among the plant foods they eat are leaves, wood, bark, stems, seeds, grains, nuts, fruit and flowers. Their food sources are usually derived from a variety of deciduous and conifer trees such as the Himalayan elm and Himalayan poplar. The utilize food sources seasonally: they have been seen browsing on floral buds in the spring, fruit in the summer, and plant shoots in the winter. They are often seen foraging on seed and nut bearing tree species such as Indian horse chestnut, evergreen holly oak, silver fir and blue pine. They are are able to chew through the tough shells of acorns and extract the nut within.
Kashmir Flying Squirrel Behavior and Reproduction
The Kashmir flying squirrels are arboreal (live mainly in trees), nocturnal (active at night), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary), migratory (make seasonal movements between regions, such as between breeding and wintering grounds) and have the ability to glide. The size of their home range is unknown, but similar species have ones that range from 0.9 to 2.7 hectares. Kashmir flying squirrels appears to nest with a partner during mating periods, but it is not known they communally nest outside this mating season.
Kashmir flying squirrels usually spend their the daytime hours sleeping in a tree cavity. They emerge from their nesting area shortly after sunset and return shortly after sunrise to feed on various nut and plant species. They rarely leave trees and glide between them. They have been sighted inhabiting man-made structures such as rooftops and do not always avoid humans. They do hibernate in the winter months but rather move to a lower elevations. Kashmir flying squirrels communicate with sound and may employ ultrasonic vocalizations and sense using vision, touch, sound and chemicals usually detected with smell.
Kashmir flying squirrels appear to be monogamous (have one mate at a time), with pairs nesting together. They engage in seasonal breeding and may breed two times a year: in July and September. The number of offspring ranges from three to four. The gestation period ranges from 25 to 40 days. The age in which they are weaned ranges from two to three months and the age in which they become independent ranging from two to 2.5 months. It takes about six months for a newborn to reach full size.
Kashmir flying squirrels are altricial. This means that young are born relatively underdeveloped and are unable to feed or care for themselves or move independently for a period of time after birth. Newborns are born with their eyes closed and they do open them until they are about three quarters of adult size. Parental care is provided by both females and males. When born, young of Kashmir flying squirrels stay with their mother in a nest concealed within a tree until they are weaned and become independent. Adult males have been seen leaving the nest to find food in the early evening and the female is seen departing the nest shortly after the male returns.
Flying squirrel species: 110) Kashmir Flying Squirrel (Eoglaucomys fimbriatus), 111) Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), 112) Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans), 113) Javanese Flying Squirrel (lomys horsfieldu), 114) Mentawai Flying Squirrel (lomys sipora), 115) Temminck’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys setosus), 116) Travancore Flying Squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus), 117) Basilan Flying Squirrel (Petinomys crinitus), 118) Mindanao Flying Squirrel (Petinomys mindanensis), 119) Whiskered Flying Squirrel (Petinomys genibarbis), 120) Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys vordermanni), 121) Hagen’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys hageni), 122) Siberut Flying Squirrel (Petinomys lugens), 123) Particolored Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger), 124) Indochinese Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes phayrei), 125) Red-cheeked Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes spadiceus), 126) Palawan Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes nigripes), 127) Jentink’s Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes platyurus), 128) Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winston), 129) Sipora Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes sipora), 130) Gray-cheeked Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes sagitta), 131) Bartels’s Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes bartelsi), 132) Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petawurillus kinlochii), 133) Hose’s Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petaurillus hosei), 134) Lesser Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petaurillus emiliae)
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.
Last updated April 2025