The Indian giant squirrel or Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) is the state animal of Maharashtra. Boasting a multiple coloured coat, these squirrels stretch as much as three feet long. The colour of the fur is unique – black, brown and orange, as well as maroon and purple – and help the squirrel avoid detection in a dense forest. The latter two shades are unusual in mammals. The squirrels live primarily in the forest canopy, leaping from tree to tree to find food, rarely touching the ground.
Their feathery tails help them balance narrow branches or hang straight down to feast. The squirrels can be sighed at Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra), Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) and Silent Valley, Wyanad Wildlife Sabctuary and Periyar (Kerala).
The weight of Indian giant squirrel is between 1.5 to 2.0 kg. Head to body length measures about 25 to 45 cm. The length of tail about 20 to 40 cm. They have pronounced and broadened hands with an expanded inner paw for gripping. Cheeks, chest, front of the forelimbs and underparts are white, cream or orange in color. The eyes are bright dark or light brown. The nose and lips are pink in color. They have some long hairs behind the nose and mouth. The tail is long and strong, the color of tail is light brown to creamy white on the tip.
Males actively compete for females during the breeding season and pairs may remain associated for longer periods of time. They are wary and shy in nature. Breeding occurs throughout the year, or several times during the year. Average number of offspring is 1 or 2. The gestation period is between 29 to 35 days.
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