Giant Indian squirrel Ratufa, lifestyle, habitat, interesting facts, photos, videos. Giant ratuf squirrel Reasons for the decline in ratuf numbers

The Indian giant squirrel (lat. Ratufa indica) is one of the largest representatives of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) and the symbol of the Indian state of Maharashtra. This large rodent is capable of jumping over a distance of up to 6-7 m, using a fluffy tail up to 50 cm long as a rudder in flight.

It is considered a sacred animal in Shaivism and is especially revered by the monks of the Bhimashankar Temple located in the Sahyadra Mountains in the Western Ghats.

Behavior

The animal leads a solitary lifestyle and is found exclusively in dense tropical and sub tropical forests central and southern India at altitudes up to 2300 m above sea level. From 2 to 13 individuals can coexist on one square kilometer, depending on the abundance of food.

The greatest activity occurs in the early morning and evening before sunset. Hollows and thick branches are used for resting and spending the night.

The basis of the diet is nuts and plant seeds. Squirrels also eat young tree leaves, flowers, bark and fruit. Bird eggs, insects and their larvae are periodically eaten.

Food is obtained in the upper tiers of the forest; Indian giant squirrels practically do not descend to the ground.

The rodent eats prey while sitting, carefully holding it in its front paws.

Reproduction

The mating season begins at the beginning of spring or summer. In some areas of the subtropics, reproduction can occur all year round. Males at this time become aggressive and often get into fights with each other.

More often than not, the larger and stronger male simply chases the weaker one until he leaves his territory.

The winner receives the right to create his own harem. There are usually 2-3 females in a harem. They build their own nest or use a ready-made hollow to breed offspring. Pregnancy lasts from 28 to 35 days.

Usually twins or one baby squirrel are born.

Triplets happen less often. Babies are helpless, deaf and blind from birth. Milk feeding lasts up to 50 days. Squirrels become sexually mature at the age of 2 years.

Description

The body length of adult animals ranges from 25.5 to 45.5 cm, and weight from 1.5 to 2 kg. The fur is thick and brownish or reddish in color. Individuals are often coffee-colored with a light purple underfur. The throat, head and forelimbs are paler. The belly is yellowish-brown. The color of the back varies depending on the subspecies and habitat.

The ears are relatively small and rounded. During the mating season, long tassels appear on them. The front legs are well developed and easily hold prey. The hind legs have long, strong claws that allow them to move quickly along tree branches.

Life expectancy in wildlife unknown. In captivity, the Indian giant squirrel can live up to 20 years.

If you saw this amazing animal with multi-colored fur and a long tail, you would hardly recognize it as a squirrel, but rather as a lemur or some kind of primate.

Here is a most interesting animal - Indian giant squirrel or ratufa (Ratufa indica). In India this is very large rodent called Malabar.

These herbivores live in mixed, deciduous and moist evergreen forests. The distribution area of the Indian giant squirrel is not limited to the Hindustan Peninsula, but extends much further. This large arboreal rodent is also found not only in the high mountain regions of Sri Lanka, the tropical forests of South India and the island of Indonesia, but also in certain areas of Nepal, Burma, China, Vietnam and Thailand. However, due to active deforestation, the habitat of giant squirrels is rapidly declining.

Three centuries ago, zoologists determined that Ratufa indica unites 4 (according to other sources 5) closely related subspecies, which differ in color and area of residence

Some modern researchers are convinced that there are at least 8 subspecies of ratufa and individual subspecies of the Indian giant squirrel should be classified to species status. Scientific discussions about Ratufa indica varieties have been going on for more than a century.

Giant squirrels lead predominantly daytime look life. The animals are most active in the morning and evening hours. During the hot afternoon hours they rest.

These squirrels are comparable in size to a cat - the body length of an adult animal reaches 40-50 cm, while the fluffy tail is about 60 cm long (they are about 2 times larger than our red squirrel). An adult giant squirrel weighs about 2-3 kg.

The multi-colored fur of these rodents looks very impressive - the back of the ratufa is covered with thick fur of creamy beige, dark red or Brown. The belly and front legs are usually cream in color, and the head can be brown or beige, however all squirrels of this species have a distinctive white patch between the ears. Females differ from males not so much in appearance as in the presence of mammary glands. The fluffy two-color tail exceeds the length of the squirrel's body and plays important role balancer

The round ears of giant squirrels are short and protruding and point to the sides. Wide and dexterous paws are armed with powerful claws that help the animal cling to the bark and branches of trees.

Ratufs live in the upper layer of the forest and rarely leave the tree crowns. Giant squirrels perfectly jump from tree to tree, covering a distance of over 6 m in a jump.

Indian squirrels are very cautious animals that, in case of danger, do not flee, but freeze, clinging to a tree trunk.

It is very difficult to spot giant squirrels in the dense crowns of trees. But even on tall trees squirrels cannot avoid encounters with numerous enemies: leopards and other large cats, martens and birds of prey, and even tree snakes.

Giant squirrels are omnivores; they feed on fruits and flowers, nuts and tree bark, and bird and insect eggs. Ratufs eat in a very funny way - standing on their hind legs, using their front legs to process food, and using their large tail as a counterweight for better balance.

Giant squirrels live either in pairs, remaining faithful to their partner for a long time, or they settle in small groups.

During the mating season, males actively compete for females and engage in serious fights with competitors, chasing them even on the ground.

The reproductive behavior of the wary giant squirrels is poorly understood.

Ratufas build spherical nests from leaves and twigs and strengthen them on thin branches so that predators do not reach the brood.

Indian giant squirrels are known to mate several times a year. The female's pregnancy lasts from 28 to 35 days. There are usually one or two cubs in a litter, but sometimes more than three are born.

The female ratufa is a caring and gentle mother; she cares for her babies until they leave the nest and begin to feed on their own.

It is not known exactly how long ratufas live in nature. In captivity, giant squirrels can live up to 20 years.

With increasing deforestation in this region, the range of this beautiful animal continues to shrink.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature current state The giant squirrel species population is close to vulnerable.

In 1984, the huge Bhimashnakara Nature Reserve appeared on the territory of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, located on an area of 130 km². When it was created, the Indian authorities set main goal– preserve the usual habitats of the Indian giant squirrel.

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Description of the Indian squirrel

Ratufa indica is one of four representatives of the genus Giant Squirrels, part of the Squirrel family. This is a very large arboreal rodent, growing up to 25–50 cm and weighing about 2–3 kg.

Females differ from males not so much in their exterior as in their pronounced anatomical nuance and the presence of mammary glands. Feature All giant squirrels have a bushy, often two-colored tail, almost equal to the length of the body. Ratufa has round, protruding ears that point sideways and upward, shiny small eyes and long protruding whiskers.

The wide paws end in powerful claws that help the rodent cling to trunks and branches. In turn, the pads on the front legs, wide and excellently developed, allow the Indian squirrel to absorb shock during long jumps: it can easily fly over a distance of 6–10 meters.

This is interesting! Ratufa indica most spends time in trees and rarely descends to the ground. This usually happens during the reproductive season, when squirrels begin their mating flirtations with catching up.

The coat of Indian squirrels can have different colors, usually with a mixture of two or three colors, but all animals are decorated with a white spot located between the ears. The most common colors are dark yellow, creamy beige, brown, tan or deep brown.

The back of an arboreal rodent is most often covered with dense fur of dark red, creamy beige or brown colors. The brown/beige head may be combined with cream forequarters and underparts.

Indian squirrels are awake early in the morning and as evening approaches: at noon they usually rest. The lifespan of Ratufa indica in the wild has not been measured, but in artificial conditions, representatives of the species live up to 20 years.

Range, habitats

The distribution area of the Indian giant squirrel is not limited to the Hindustan Peninsula, but extends much further. This representative arboreal rodent has conquered not only the high mountain regions of Sri Lanka, the tropical forests of South India and the islands of Indonesia, but also parts of Nepal, Burma, China, Vietnam and Thailand.

True, the range of the Indian giant squirrel is shrinking due to the increased volume of trees being cut down: animals that prefer to settle in tropical rainforests are forced to look for new places to live.

By the way, the division of Ratufa indica into subspecies is associated with the zoning of the area. Biologists have found that each one not only occupies a certain geographical sector of the range, but also differs in its own color. However, scientists disagree about the number of modern subspecies of the Indian giant squirrel.

This is interesting! The arguments of the opposing sides are based on the results of two studies conducted... three centuries ago. Then it was found that Ratufa indica unites 4 (according to other sources 5) closely related subspecies.

According to some reports, the subspecies Ratufa indica dealbata is no longer found in the province of Gujarat, which means that we need to talk about only 4 subspecies, and perhaps even three. Biologists categorically disagree with them, identifying eight modern varieties of the Indian giant squirrel, based on the specific color and areas of its residence.

Six of the eight subspecies are described as follows:

Ratufa indica dealbata is a dark yellow/brown-yellow squirrel that inhabits humid tropical deciduous forests near Dang;
Ratufa indica centralis is a rusty/dark yellow squirrel that lives in the dry deciduous tropical forests of Central India, near Hoshangabad;
Ratufa indica maxima is a rodent with yellowish-brown/dark brown, beige or dark beige fur, living in the humid evergreen tropics of the Malabar coast;
Ratufa indica bengalensis is a rodent that inhabits the semi-evergreen tropical forests of the Brahmagiri Mountains to the coast of the Bay of Bengal;
Ratufa indica superans - a squirrel with a dark brown, beige or brownish-yellow coat;
Ratufa indica indica.

Some researchers are convinced that individual subspecies of the Indian giant squirrel should be classified at species status. Scientific discussions about Ratufa indica varieties have been going on for more than a century, and it is unclear when they will end.

Diet of the Indian giant squirrel

These arboreal rodents have no special gastronomic requirements - they eat almost everything they can get their hands on. The menu of the Indian giant squirrel includes:

fruits of fruit trees;
bark and flowers;
nuts;
insects;
bird eggs.

During a meal, the squirrel stands up on its hind legs and deftly moves its front legs, picking and peeling fruits.. A long tail is used as a counterweight - it helps the dining squirrel maintain balance.

Reproduction and offspring

The reproductive behavior of Ratufa indica has so far been poorly studied. It is known, for example, that before the start of the rut, Indian giant squirrels settle alone, but when forming a pair, they remain faithful to their other half for a long time.

This is interesting! During the mating season, males descend from the trees and begin to chase after partners, actively competing with each other. Each rodent builds several nests in a relatively small plot: in some the squirrels sleep, in others they mate.

When building nests, animals use branches and leaves, giving the structures a spherical shape and strengthening them on thin branches so that predators cannot reach them. The nests reveal themselves only during periods of drought, when the trees become bald.

Indian giant squirrels mate several times a year. Gestation lasts from 28 to 35 days, and babies are most often born in December, March/April and September. In one litter (on average), 1-2 baby squirrels are born, less often - more than three. Ratufa has a pronounced maternal instinct, which does not allow her to abandon her babies until they begin to feed on their own and leave their native nest.

Order - Rodents / Suborder - Squirrel-like / Family - Squirrel-like

History of the study

The Indian giant squirrel (lat. Ratufa indica) is a species of rodent of the giant squirrel genus.

Spreading

It is a species endemic to mixed, deciduous, wet evergreen forests peninsula of Hindustan. In the north, the range is limited to the Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh (about 20° northern latitude). Looking at the distribution map of this species, you can see that these animals live in small groups isolated from each other, thereby creating favorable conditions for speciation. The squirrels found in each of these locations are distinguished by their particular color scheme, which makes it possible to determine where each specimen comes from. There is debate as to whether such subspecies with different coat colors should be considered as independent species.

Appearance

The fur color range of Indian giant squirrels consists of two or three colors. These colors can be creamy beige, dark yellow, tan, brown or even dark brown. The underparts and forelegs are cream, the head may be brown or beige, but there is a distinctive white patch between the ears. The length of the head and body of an adult animal is about 36 cm, while the tail is about 61 cm long. An adult weighs about 2 kg.

Reproduction

Indian giant squirrels live alone or in pairs. They build large, ball-shaped nests of twigs and leaves on thin branches, making them inaccessible to large predators. During the dry season, these nests become clearly visible. An individual builds several nests in a small area, using some of them for sleeping, others for breeding. Breeding bicolor squirrel in captivity, close relative Indian giant squirrels showed that babies are born in March, April, September and December. An individual with cubs was spotted in Canara in March.

Nutrition

They feed on fruits, flowers, nuts, tree bark, bird and insect eggs. They do this standing on their hind legs, using their front legs to handle food, and using their large tail as a counterweight for better balance.

Lifestyle

Indian giant squirrels live in the upper layer of the forest and rarely leave the trees. They jump from tree to tree, covering about 6 m. When in danger, these squirrels do not run away, but seem to “hang” and press themselves against tree trunks. The main enemies are birds of prey and leopards. The main activity occurs in the early morning and evening hours; at noon the squirrels rest. They are shy, cautious animals and are not easy to spot.

Number

According to the IUCN, the current state of the species population is assessed as close to vulnerable. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra, in the Pune district near the city of Ambegaon and the Khed tehsil, the Bhimashnakar nature reserve is located. The purpose of its creation was mainly to protect the habitats of the Indian giant squirrel. It has an area of 130 km² and is part of the Western Ghats. The reserve was created in 1984.

There is hardly a person who has never seen a squirrel. For many, this nimble red animal with long ears and the big fluffy tail is well known from childhood, at least from Pushkin’s fairy tale about Tsar Saltan: “The squirrel sings songs and gnaws all the nuts.” His paws are strong with strong long claws, thanks to them he climbs trees well, and his sharp teeth easily crack hazelnuts.

Since ancient times, various legends and beliefs have been associated with the squirrel. Among the Japanese, it was considered a symbol of fertility, and in most European countries it symbolized evil, destructive forces, apparently because of its red coat and agility, which were associated with the fire element.

This is one of the most common rodents on our planet. Maybe also because he easily got along with people. In city parks, furry pranksters are not afraid to come down from the tree and treat themselves directly from their hands. This is such a gentle, peace-loving little animal.

There are 48 genera of proteins, including no less than 280 species. Such a large variety of squirrels inhabits all continents with the exception of Australia and, naturally, Antarctica; they are not found in Madagascar; they cannot be seen everywhere in Africa and South America, but has a wide range in Europe.

In this red kingdom, the smallest animal is only up to 7.5 cm long, our familiar nut lover is up to 30 cm, but it turns out there are also very major representatives squirrel world. This is what our conversation will be about.

Ratufa's squirrel is a heat-loving, rather impressive-sized animal that lives in wet forests South Asia. The largest one “stretches” up to half a meter, and with a tail that is no smaller than the body, it will be the whole meter.

Such a squirrel weighs up to 3 kg, which is why it is called giant. These tallest representatives of the squirrel kingdom are not at all like our little red-haired pranksters, who weigh 10 times less.

Their coloring is not quite usual; it combines several colors, for example, black on the back with orange, yellow or dark brown on the belly.

The ears also differ in their structure: sort of small round rounds, they end with a tassel only on the large-tailed Ratufa, which gives it a vague resemblance to our cute squirrels.

The front paws have long, hooked toes with dense pads that cushion well when jumping, and they are also gigantic, can reach a length of 6 meters.

Varieties of Ratufa squirrels

There are 4 species in the Ratufa squirrel genus:

Ratufa macroura. Distributed in the highlands of Sri Lanka (translated from Sanskrit as “blessed land”), in India it is found in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and on the forested banks of the Kaveri River. Body length with head is 25-45 cm, with tail varies between 50-90 cm. Considered the smallest of the giant squirrels, it is divided into three subspecies: Ratufa m. macroura, Ratufa m. Dandolena, Ratufa m. Melanocra.
Indian Ratufa (Ratufa indica). As the name itself indicates, it lives in India, in the southern tropical rainforests, but it can also be seen in the central part of the country in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Such squirrels, including their tail, reach a length of 1 m and weigh up to 2 kg. They usually feed during the day and live isolated in small families, each with its own color characteristics. They are used to determine from which area this or that exotic specimen comes. There is no consensus among biologists as to how many subspecies of Ratufa indica there are, some say there are 5, others claim that there are only 4, on the grounds that in the north-west of India (Gujarat) one allegedly disappeared. There is an opinion that there are even as many as 8 of them, depending on the type of color in a given area. There is debate among scientists about whether some subspecies should be considered a species.
Ratufa bicolor. Widely distributed in mountain coniferous and tropical forests of Southeast Asia (northeast India, Nepal, Burma, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesian islands). It can be significantly more than a meter (118 cm) in length.
Cream Ratufa (Ratufa affinis). It lives in mountain forests adjacent to the two-colored squirrel, as well as on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan) in the Malay Archipelago. Less than a meter long, weighing up to 1.5 kg. There are many subspecies of cream squirrels, these are Ratufa a. Bancana, Ratufa a. Baramensis, Ratufa a. Bunguranensis, Ratufa a. Cothurnata, Ratufa. a. Ephippium, Ratufa a. Hypoleucos, Ratufa a. Insignis, Ratufa a. Polia.

Lifestyle of the giant squirrel Ratufa

All species of ratuf live in tropical rainforests, often in inaccessible mountainous areas. They settle in trees and leave them only when absolutely necessary. They jump from branch to branch over long distances, sensing a threat, they do not run away, but freeze, as if pressed into the trunk.

In natural conditions, large birds of prey and leopards pose a danger to them. They are most active in searching for food in the morning and in the evening; during the hot afternoon they have a “siesta”; squirrels rest comfortably in their shelter.

The animal can be called gloomy because it loves loneliness, rare individuals there are two of them. As a rule, males and females find each other only during the breeding season.

Sometimes they choose a large hollow as their place of residence; more often they build them high in the crown of trees so that predators do not reach the large nest balls. There are several of these, one is intended for sleep, others are designed for offspring.

Rodents feed on various gifts of the forest: nuts, plant seeds, leaves, mushrooms and lichens; they do not disdain insects, bird eggs and even chicks; they can eat their smaller brothers. So they have predatory tendencies.

Mating season Squirrels have it several times a year. Observation of Ratufa bicolor in a nursery showed that offspring are born in spring and autumn, in favorable year There are up to 3 broods, in dry periods - only two.

The female bears the cubs for 28-35 days, one or two naked and blind baby squirrels are born, the mother feeds them with milk for 2 months. After six months, having grown stronger, they become independent and are already capable of reproduction.

Existential threat and protection of Ratufa

Under natural conditions, giant squirrels live no more than 6 years; in enclosures, where there is no need to waste energy searching for food, they can live up to 20.

Man is a threat to the existence of Ratuf in nature, because he hunts them for beautiful fur and meat, and cuts down forests in their habitats. Thus, the number of two-color Ratuf due to human activity has decreased by 30%.

And at the same time on state level people care about preserving the population, which, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is in danger of extinction. To save the big-tailed Ratufa from final extinction, it was listed in the International Red Book.

To preserve this species, a reserve was created in the Indian city of Srivilliputtur, another extensive protected area Giant squirrels are found in the state of Maharashtra. In Europe, ratuf can be seen in zoos, for example, in the Czech cities of Brno, Ostrava or Leipzig (Germany).

Watch the video about Ratuf big-tailed:

The giant squirrel Ratufa is a peaceful and trusting animal, completely harmless to humans. Due to its fur and meat, as well as deteriorating living conditions, it is in danger of extinction. To prevent this from happening, effective measures are being taken to protect it in India and other countries where it lives. If people do not save this exotic rodent, nature will lose another one of its bright paint. The beauty of life lies in the diversity of all life on our planet!

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