The world of squirrels is diverse and fascinating, with over 200 species scattered across the globe. However, one species stands out due to its impressive size – the Malabar Giant Squirrel. This squirrel, scientifically known as Ratufa indica, holds the title of the largest squirrel in the world.
This article will take a closer look at this magnificent squirrel along with some other giant squirrels in the world!
The Indian Giant Squirrel (Malabar Giant)
Native to India, the Malabar Giant Squirrel can reach lengths of up to 1 meter, including its tail, which accounts for about two-thirds of its total length. This is significantly larger than most other squirrel species, which typically measure between 25 to 50 centimeters in length.
The Malabar Giant Squirrel is not only notable for its size but also for its striking multi-colored fur, which can range from black and brown to maroon and orange. This vibrant coat provides excellent camouflage in the tree canopies of the tropical forests where these squirrels reside.
Despite their size, Malabar Giant Squirrels are arboreal creatures, spending most of their lives in trees. They are known for their extraordinary leaping ability, capable of jumping up to 6 meters between trees, a feat that is crucial for their survival in the wild.
There are four recognized subspecies of these squirrels and they are adapted to the different forest conditions across the Indian subcontinent.
Indian Giants are solitary animals that spend most of their lives in the tops of trees in the rainforest. Typically, these squirrels will only leave their trees to chase away other squirrels during mating season. These squirrels often live in cavities inside the trees but are known to build eagle sized nests in the treetops to raise their young.
Little is known about the mating and reproductive behavior of these animals. The animals seem to form mating pairs, have 1-3 babies per litter and a gestation period of is likely to be 28-35 days.
These squirrels have been observed to store food caches (larders) in the trees. While storing food caches is a common behavior in many tree squirrels (Grey, Pine, etc) their stores are almost always terrestrial based. The tree based food stores of Indian Giants makes sense considering how much of their lives they spend in the trees.
Continued deforestation puts significant pressure on the population of these squirrels. Although this giant is not listed as a threatened species, zoos are starting to work on captive breeding programs in anticipation of future survival issues.
Although these massive squirrels are quite agile, with the ability to make leaps of up to 20 feet between trees, their response to predators is often to flatten themselves against a tree and remain motionless. Common predators include raptors, snakes and various wild cats (leopards, etc).
Indian Giant Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Ratufa indica
- Member of Subfamily: Ratufinae
- Recognized Subspecies: R. i. indica, R. i. centralis, R. i. dealbata, R. i. maxima
- Length: Up to 18 inches for the body and 36 inches including the tail
- Weight: Up to 6 pound with an average weight of about 4 pounds
- Geography: India
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Diurnal
- Maximum Lifespan: 20 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
The Black Giant Squirrel (Malayan Giant)
The Black Giant squirrel, also known as the Malayan Giant, is found around southern China, northern Nepal, Vietnam, and the Malay Peninsula (hence the name). There are ten subspecies of Black Giant squirrel.
These squirrels are only present in heavily forested areas, where they nest in the canopy of tall trees. Black Giant squirrels thrive in tropical areas, which is why they are exclusive to areas such as Vietnam, and do not hibernate. They are solitary creatures, and can only be spotted in small groups during mating season.
Female Black Giant squirrels will give birth to a litter of one or two squirrels after a gestation period of around one month. Females will often mate with five to seven males per litter, so it is possible for an offspring to have a different father than its siblings.
While most of their life is spent in trees, Black Giant squirrels sometimes forage for fruits and nuts on the ground. This leaves them vulnerable to land-dwelling carnivores. However, even while in the forest canopy, the Black Giant is threatened by snakes and birds of prey.
These squirrels subsist off of a diet of fruit and nuts, making them herbivores. They are sometimes known to be pests, raiding local orchards.
Black Giant squirrels are adversely affected by massive deforestation in their corner of the world, due to the fact that they spend so much time in trees. They are currently listed as NT (Near Threatened) by the IUCN Red List.
Black Giant Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Ratufa bicolor
- Member of Subfamily: Ratufinae
- Recognized Subspecies: R. b. bicolor, R. b. condorensis, R. b. felli, R. b. gigantea, R. b. hainana, R. b. leucogenys, R. b. melanopepla, R. b. palliata, R. b. phaeopepla, R. b. smithi
- Length: Up to 23 inches for the body and 46 inches including the tail
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Geography: Southern China, northern Nepal, Vietnam, Malay peninsula
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Diurnal
- Maximum Lifespan: Up to 19 years
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
General References
Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel (Grizzled Giant Squirrel)
The Sri Lankan Giant squirrel, also known as the Grizzled Giant squirrel, is found in southern India and Sri Lanka. There are three subspecies of this squirrel.
The Sri Lankan Giant squirrel can be found in rain and scrub forests, where they spend most of their lives in the treetops. However, they will occasionally leave their preferred habitat and scurry to the ground in order to escape from predators.
There is limited data available regarding the reproductive cycles of the Sri Lankan Giant. This squirrel’s gestation period is believed to be 28 days, after which it will give birth to a litter of one or two offspring.
These squirrels subsist off of an omnivorous diet of fruits, nuts, insects, bird eggs, and tree bark.
The IUCN classifies the Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel as NT (Near Threatened). This is due to many factors, including deforestation and hunting by humans. Conservationists, worried for the safety of the Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel, have initiated a projects to help protect this species. Furthermore, more than 300 nests of the Sri Lankan Giant squirrel were spotted in a forest in India. Wildlife activists are pushing the Indian government to declare the forest as a sanctuary for this species.
Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Ratufa macroura
- Member of Subfamily: Ratufinae
- Recognized Subspecies: R. m. macroura, R. m. dandolena, R. m. melanochra
- Length: Up to 18 inches for the body, and up to 35 inches including the tail
- Weight: Up to 6.5 pounds
- Geography: Southern India and Sri Lanka
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Diurnal
- Maximum Lifespan:
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
General References
Pale Giant Squirrel (Cream-Colored Giant Squirrel)
The Pale Giant squirrel, also known as the Cream-colored giant squirrel, can be found in southeast Asia. There are currently nine recognized subspecies of the Pale Giant.
These squirrels are arboreal, meaning that they will spend most of their lives in trees. They will only venture to the ground in order to reach otherwise non-accessible trees or to escape predators. The Pale Giant prefers the tropical climate of southern Asia.
The gestation period of the Pale Giant is unknown, and it is tough to make an assumption, due to the variation in gestation periods of other members of the genus Ratufa. They are, however, known to give birth to litters of around three offspring.
The Pale Giant will often create holes in trees for use as a shelter. However, during mating season, it will create a large, globular nest in tree branches. This nest, also called a drey, houses the squirrel and its young.
Due to its arboreal nature, the Pale giant is most vulnerable to birds. The Crested Serpent Eagle, for example, is a known predator. These squirrels are also hunted with shotguns and blowpipes by indigenous people who use them as a food source.
Pale Giant squirrels are omnivores, occasionally eating insects and eggs, but primarily subsist off of leaves, fruit, bark, and seeds.
The conservation status of the Pale Giant squirrel, according to the IUCN, is NT (Near Threatened). This is mainly due to the deforestation, destroying the Pale Giant’s habitat, and hunting and trapping by locals.
Pale Giant squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Ratufa affinis
- Member of Subfamily: Ratufinae
- Recognized Subspecies: R. a. affinis, R. a. bancana, R. a. baramensis, R. a. bunguranensis, R. a. cothurnata, R. a. ephippium, R. a. hypoleucos, R. a. insignis, R. a. polia
- Length: Up to 15 inches for the body, and up to 32 inches including the tail
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Geography: southeast Asia
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Diurnal
- Maximum Lifespan: 19 years
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
General References
Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel
The Japanese Giant flying squirrel is found in southern Asia and Japan. There are four recognized subspecies of this squirrel.
The Japanese Giant flying squirrel is not confined to heavily forested areas; its various habitats include forests, hills, and mountains. It prefers tropical and temperate climates. However, these squirrels can also occasionally be found in areas inhabited by humans, and have been noted in forests around shrines and temples.
Japanese Giants mate and give birth twice a year, once during the winter and once during the summer. Females Japanese Giant squirrels have a longer gestation period than most, clocking in at 74 days, before giving birth to one or two offspring.
Little is known about what animals may hunt these squirrels, but humans are the primary predator when it comes to the Japanese Giant. Locals will hunt giant flying squirrels, including the Japanese Giant, for food.
Fruits, seeds, buds, flowers, conifers, and woody plant parts make up the diet of these squirrels, making them herbivores. They possess the unique ability to greatly extend their bodies without moving their hind feet, giving them an edge when it comes to foraging for food.
The Japanese Giant flying squirrel is listed by the IUCN as LC (Least Concern).
Japanese Giant flying squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista leucogenys
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies: P. l. hintoni, P. l. leucogenys, P. l. nikkonis, P. l. oreas
- Length: Up to 20 cm for the body, and up to 41 including the tail
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Geography: Southern Asia and Japan
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: 19 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel (Lesser Giant Flying Squirrel)
The Spotted Giant flying squirrel can be found in eastern Nepal, across the Malay Peninsula, Vietnam, and the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. There are currently eight recognized subspecies of this squirrel.
These squirrels are found primarily in the treetops of temperate forests. It has also been noted that they prefer forests at higher elevations.
There is very little data regarding the reproduction cycles of the Spotted Giant. They usually product one to two offspring per litter.
Because of these squirrels are arboreal in nature, it is assumed that they are vulnerable to predators such as snaked, birds of prey, and owls. In addition, indigenous people hunt the Spotted Giant for food, fur, and hide.
The Spotted Giant flying squirrel consumes an omnivorous diet of fruit, nuts, leaves, shoots, eggs, insects, and larvae.
The conservation status of the Spotted Giant is listed by the IUCN as LC (Least Concern). Like most squirrels, they are vulnerable to deforestation, and have therefore seen a decrease in their numbers over the past few decades.
Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: petaurista elegans
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies:
- Length: 15 inches for the head, and up to 30 inches including the tail
- Weight: Up to 2.5 pounds
- Geography: Eastern Nepal, Malay Peninsula, Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Borneo
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: 16 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel
The Red and White Giant flying squirrel is found in central and southern China and Taiwan. There are currently several recognized subspecies. These are among the largest of all of the giant squirrels with the reported sizes varying greatly depending upon the sex, age and subspecies involved. In general, these giants will be between 2-3 feet in length (including the tail) and weigh between two and four pounds.
The subspecies of the Red and White Giant found in Taiwan are significantly smaller than those found in Mainland China and are genetically different enough that is has been recommended that they be named as their own species.
Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista alborufus
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies: Several
- Length: Up to 2 feet long including the tail
- Weight: 2-4 pounds
- Geography: Mainland China and Taiwan (High Altitude Forests)
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: 21 Years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel
The Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel is found in the forests of the Himalaya mountains of Asia at elevations of around 5,000 to 9,000 feet. The exact geographic distribution of this squirrel is not well defined due misreported sightings of the extremely similar Bhutan Giant Flying squirrel.
Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista magnificus
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies:
- Length: Up to 40 inches (including tail)
- Weight: 3-4 pounds
- Geography: Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: Uncertain, at least 10 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel
The Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel is often confused with the Hodgson’s Flying Giant. Both squirrels are found in the high elevation forests of the Himalayas. At one time it was thought that these were the same species with the Bhutan being the Summer Species and the Hodgson’s being the Winter Species.
Despite the confusion, the two squirrels have distinctly different markings and the Bhutan is the larger of the two species.
Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista nobilis
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies: Two
- Length: Up to 50 inches (including tail)
- Weight: Up to six pounds
- Geography: Nepal, Bhutan, India
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: Uncertain
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
General References
Red Giant Flying Squirrel
The Red Giant Flying squirrel is widespread across Asia but has its greatest concentration in Pakistan. It can be found in regions from Taiwan to Afghanistan.
Red Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista petaurista
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies:
- Length: 32 inches (including tail)
- Weight: About four pounds
- Geography: Pakistan and many parts of Asia
- Diurnal or Nocturnal:
- Maximum Lifespan: 16 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Indian Giant Flying Squirrel
The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel is common across Asia. This squirrel is nocturnal, solitary and feeds primarily on the fruits and leaves of ficus trees along with other plant material. Unlike other squirrels that eat insects, eggs and meat, the Indian Flying Squirrel sticks with plants.
Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Facts
- Scientific Name: Petaurista philippensis
- Member of Subfamily: Petaurista
- Recognized Subspecies:
- Length: 36 inches (including tail)
- Weight: About four pounds
- Geography: Central China, Southeast Asia
- Diurnal or Nocturnal: Nocturnal
- Maximum Lifespan: Uncertain, at least 11 years
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
General References
Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel
There is surprisingly little literature published on the Internet about this particular species. It looks like the species is only found in the mountainous regions of China and any research is limited or not well published. There has been some research on these guys with a new species recently being discovered.
If you know of any references that have specific details about this species then please leave a comment below and I will beef up this section of the article!
