About Indian Giant Squirrel:
- Also known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel, the Indian Giant Squirrel is a large rodent species native to India.
- More specifically, it is a type of tree squirrel.
- It is one of the largest squirrels in the world.
- Scientific Name: Ratufa indica
- Distribution:
- It is found primarily in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Satpura Range.
- Their ranges include many states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- It is Maharashtra’s state animal and locally known as Shekru.
- Habitat: It is arboreal, spending most of its time in trees. It makes its shelter within holes in trees.
- Features:
- They are distinguishable by their striking, multi-colored hues.
- They are typically solitary animals, being seen only rarely in pairs during the breeding season.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
