Southern Black Giant Squirrel

About this species

Size

Head and body 34–37cm; tail 41–42cm

Weight

1.05–1.25kg

Diet

Seeds, pine cones, fruit and leaves

Habitat

Forest from sea level to at least 2,500m

Range

Northern Bangladesh, north-east India, eastern Nepal, Bhutan, southern China and Southeast Asia

The black giant squirrel, or Malayan giant squirrel, is one of the largest squirrels in the world. The back, top of the head, ears and bushy tail are deep brown to black, and the underparts are light buff. An adult weighs about 1.05 to 1.25 kg, with a head and body of 34 to 37 cm and a tail of 41 to 42 cm (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is found in forests from northern Bangladesh, north-east India and eastern Nepal to Southeast Asia, including western Indonesia (Java, Sumatra and Bali), from sea level up to at least 2,500 m. It is diurnal and arboreal but sometimes climbs down from the canopy to feed on the ground, taking seeds, pine cones, fruit and leaves. In some places it is protected from hunting by law or tradition (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of Malaysia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)