Ratufa belongs to the squirrel family, the rodent detachment. Representatives of this genus are also called giant squirrels.

The body length of the ratufa is about 50 cm, and the weight reaches 3 kg. The bushy tail is approximately equal to the length of the body.

The coloration is very varied and ranges from an orange hue to less striking grays and browns. Against this background, a black shiny back and a lighter yellowish-brown abdomen stand out. The ratufa has short, rounded ears decorated with tassels.

The front legs with long toes and developed pads are armed with claws. The smallest variety of these proteins differs in size from related forms: in length, such proteins are approximately 25-30 cm, but such body sizes are comparable to the size of ordinary proteins.


Ratufa is represented by four types:

  • The big-tailed ratufa (Ratufa macroura) is found in South India and Ceylon.
  • Ratufa bicolor (R. bicolor) lives in Burma, Nepal, Indochina, East India.
  • The Malay ratufa (R. affinis) is common in Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula.
  • Indian ratufa (R. indica) inhabits almost the entire Indian subcontinent to Surat and Orissa.

    Ratufa habitats

    Ratufs live in humid and seasonally dry tropical forests. Squirrels hide in the crowns of tall trees.


    Ratufa is a large and brightly colored squirrel.

    Features of the behavior of Ratuf

    Ratuffs are territorial loners, they rarely meet more than two individuals in one place. Squirrels control their individual feeding area. Its boundaries may vary in different areas depending on the amount of feed and the season.

    Ratuffs in the crowns of tall trees move in leaps. However, compared to the jumping of ordinary squirrels, their movement can be called a real flight up to 6 meters long.

    Giant squirrels can also jump 5-10 meters down to the ground, landing on their developed, wide paw pads.

    Ratufa food

    Ratuffs find their food in the trees. Proteins feed on tree seeds, fruits, nuts, mushrooms and lichens. They eat young tree shoots and buds, catch large insects, ravage bird nests in search of eggs and chicks.


    Reproduction of ratufa

    Ratufa makes refuge in hollows located in the middle or upper part of the crown of the tree.

    Carries young for 28 days. Gives birth to one or two squirrels. They are born naked and blind, completely helpless, their development is rather slow. The female feeds the squirrels with milk for one and a half months. Usually, a ratufa has three broods per year; in a more arid habitat, their number decreases to two. After six months, young squirrels are able to reproduce. The lifespan of ratufa in nature is 5-6 years. In captivity, giant squirrels can live longer - up to 15 years.


    Reasons for the decrease in the number of Ratuf

    In the last two decades, a decrease in the number of ratufs in nature has been recorded. The main danger to animals is uncontrolled hunting due to tasty meat. In addition, there is a reduction in the habitat of squirrels due to deforestation.

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

Study history

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

Spreading

It is a species endemic to the mixed, deciduous, moist evergreen forests of the Indian subcontinent. In the north, the area is limited by the Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh (about 20 ° north latitude). On the map of the distribution of this species, you can see that these animals live in small, isolated groups, thereby creating favorable conditions for speciation. The squirrels found in each of these locations are distinguished by their own specific color scheme, which allows you to determine where each specimen is from. There is debate as to whether such subspecies with different coat colors should be considered as independent species.

Appearance

The color scheme of the fur of Indian giant squirrels consists of two or three colors. These can be colors: creamy beige, dark yellow, yellowish brown, brown or even dark brown. The underside of the body and forelegs are cream, the head may be brown or beige, however there is a distinctive white spot 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 spherical nests from branches and leaves on thin branches, making them inaccessible to large predators. During the dry season, these nests become highly visible. A separate individual builds several nests in a small area, using some of them for sleeping, others for breeding. Captive breeding of a two-colored squirrel, a close relative of Indian giant squirrels, has shown that cubs are born in March, April, September and December. An individual with cubs was seen in Canar in March.

Nutrition

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

Lifestyle

Indian giant squirrels live in the upper tier of the forest and rarely leave the trees. They jump from tree to tree, overcoming at the same time about 6 m. In danger, these squirrels do not run away, but as if "hover" and nestle on tree trunks. The main enemies are birds of prey and leopards. The main activity occurs in the early morning and evening hours; squirrels rest at noon. They are shy, wary animals and not easy to spot.

Number of

According to the IUCN, the current state of the population of the species is assessed as close to vulnerable. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra, in the Pune district near the city of Ambegaon and Tehsil Khed, there is the Bhimashnakar nature reserve. Its main purpose was to protect the habitat of the Indian giant squirrel. Its area is 130 km² and it is part of the Western Ghats. The reserve was established in 1984.

Description of Indian squirrel

Ratufa indica is one of four members of the Giant Squirrels genus, which is a member of the Squirrel family.... It is a very large tree 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 a pronounced anatomical nuance, in the presence of mammary glands. A characteristic feature of all giant squirrels is a lush, often two-colored tail, almost equal to the length of the body. The ratufa has rounded protruding ears that are directed to the sides and upward, shiny small eyes and long protruding vibrissae.

The wide paws end in powerful claws that help the rodent cling to trunks and branches. In turn, the pads on the front paws, wide and excellently developed, allow the Indian squirrel to cushion during long jumps: it flies 6-10 meters without much difficulty.

It is interesting! Ratufa indica spends most of its time in trees and very rarely descends to the ground. This usually happens during the reproductive season, when squirrels begin mating flirting with catch-ups.

The coat of Indian squirrels can be of 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, yellowish brown or deep brown.

The back of a tree rodent is most often covered with dense wool of dark red, cream-beige or brown colors. A brown / beige head can be paired with cream forelimbs and lower body.

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

Habitat, habitats

The area of ​​distribution of the Indian giant squirrel is not limited to the Indian subcontinent, but extends much further. This representative arboreal rodent has conquered not only the highlands of Sri Lanka, the rainforests 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 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 connected with the zoning of the range. Biologists have found that each not only occupies a certain geographic sector of the range, but also has its own color. True, scientists disagree about the number of modern subspecies of the Indian giant squirrel.

It is interesting! The arguments of the opposing sides are based on the results of two studies carried out ... 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 Gujarat province, which means that it is necessary to speak only about 4 subspecies, and, perhaps, even about three. Biologists strongly disagree with them, distinguishing eight modern varieties of the Indian giant squirrel, based on the specifics of the color and areas of its residence.

Six of the eight subspecies are described as follows:

  • Ratufa indica dealbata is a dark yellow / brownish yellow squirrel inhabiting tropical deciduous forests near Dang;
  • Ratufa indica centralis is a rusty / dark yellow squirrel native to the dry deciduous tropical forests of Central India, near Khoshangabad;
  • Ratufa indica maxima is a tan / dark brown, beige or dark beige rodent found 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 - 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 in species status. Scientific discussions about the Ratufa indica varieties have been going on for over a century, and it is unclear when they will end.

Indian Giant Squirrel Diet

These tree rodents have no special gastronomic needs - they eat almost anything they can reach. The Indian Giant Squirrel's menu 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 wields its front legs, picking and peeling fruits... The long tail is used as a counterweight - it helps the dining squirrel to maintain balance.

Reproduction and offspring

The reproductive behavior of Ratufa indica is still poorly understood. It is known, for example, that before the start of the rut, Indian giant squirrels settle alone, but, forming a pair, they remain faithful to their second half for a long time.

It is interesting! During the mating season, males descend from the trees and begin to chase partners, actively competing with each other. Each rodent builds several nests on a relatively small plot: in some 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. Nests only reveal themselves during periods of drought, when the trees are balding.

Indian giant squirrels mate several times a year. Gestation takes 28 to 35 days, and pups are more likely to be born in December, March / April and September. In one litter (on average) 1-2 squirrels are born, rarely more than three. Ratufa has a pronounced maternal instinct that does not allow her to abandon the babies until they start feeding on their own and leave their nest themselves.

The habitat of the Indian giant squirrel Ratufa (called Malabar in India) is limited to the Indian subcontinent. With the increase in deforestation in this region, the range of this animal continues to decline. Giant squirrels prefer tropical rainforests. They spend most of the day in the trees. Animals are active in the early morning hours and in the evening; they prefer to rest at noon.

Giant squirrels are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, nuts, tree bark, bird and insect eggs. They do this while standing on their hind legs, using their front legs to handle food, and use their large tail as a counterweight for better balance. Moving from tree to tree, in a jump they can cover a distance of 6 meters or more. Giant squirrels rarely leave trees, usually only to chase other squirrels during the breeding season.

They are very shy and wary squirrels and are not easy to spot. They are wary of other animals, trying to hide in dense vegetation. And not without reason. Even there, in the treetops, they have someone to fear: large cats, martens, birds of prey and snakes. When a squirrel is in danger, it often freezes, merging with the tree trunk, and does not flee.

The back of the giant squirrel ratufa is covered with thick creamy beige, dark red or brown fur. The belly and forelegs are usually cream in color, and the head can be brown or beige, however, all squirrels of this species have a distinctive white spot between the ears. The ears are short and round, the wide paws are armed with large, powerful claws that help to cling to the bark of trees and branches. Females differ from males in the presence of mammary glands. The total body length varies from 25 to 46 cm and the tail length is about the same as the body length. Indian ratuf squirrels weigh about 1.5 to 2 kg.

Little is known about the mating behavior of this animal, because the giant squirrel is not a pet and its behavior can only be judged on the basis of observations of it in the wild. Males actively compete for females during the mating season and, having chosen a mate for themselves, can remain in pairs for a long period of time. The reproductive behavior of the ratuf squirrel is also poorly understood. There is some evidence that breeding occurs throughout the year, or several times a year. The female's pregnancy lasts 28 to 35 days. In a litter, as a rule, there are one or two cubs, but there may be more than three. The ratufa female is a good mother and stays close to the babies until they leave the nest and begin to feed on their own. It is not known how many squirrels live in nature. In captivity, they can live up to 20 years.

Seeing this amazing animal with multi-colored hair and a long tail, you would hardly recognize it as a squirrel, rather a lemur or some primate.

Before you is an interesting animal - Indian giant squirrel or ratufa (Ratufa indica). In India, this very large rodent is called malabar.

These herbivores live in mixed, deciduous and humid evergreen forests. The area of ​​distribution of the Indian giant squirrel is not limited to the Indian subcontinent, but extends much further. This large tree rodent is also found not only in the highlands of Sri Lanka, the tropical forests of South India and the island of Indonesia, but also in parts of Nepal, Burma, China, Vietnam and Thailand. However, due to active deforestation, the habitat of giant squirrels is rapidly decreasing.

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 in the species status. Scientific debate about the Ratufa indica varieties has been going on for over a century.

Giant squirrels are predominantly diurnal. The animals are most active in the morning and evening hours. In the hot midday hours, they rest.

These proteins are comparable in size to a cat - the body length of an adult animal reaches 40-50 cm, while a 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 cream-beige, dark red or brown fur. The belly and forelegs are usually cream in color, and the head can be brown or beige, however, all squirrels of this species have a distinctive white spot between the ears. Females differ from males not so much in their exterior as in the presence of mammary glands. The fluffy bicolor tail exceeds the body length of squirrels and plays an important role as a balancer.

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

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

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

It is very difficult to spot giant squirrels in dense tree crowns. But even in 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 omnivorous, they feed on fruits and flowers, nuts and tree bark, eggs of birds and insects. They eat ratufs very amusingly - standing on their hind legs, using their front legs to process food, and use 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 settle in small groups.

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

The reproductive behavior of cautious giant squirrels is poorly understood.

The spherical nests of the ratufa are built from leaves and twigs and reinforced on thin branches so that predators do not reach the brood.

It is known that Indian giant squirrels mate several times a year. The female's pregnancy lasts 28 to 35 days. In a litter, as a rule, there are one or two cubs, but sometimes more than three are born.

The female Ratufa is a caring and gentle mother; she takes care of her babies until they leave the nest and begin to feed on their own.

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

With the increase in deforestation in this region, the range of this beautiful animal continues to decline.

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

In 1984, on the territory of the western state of Indian Maharashtra, a huge Bhimashnakar reserve appeared, located on an area of ​​130 km². When creating it, the Indian authorities set the main goal - to preserve the habitual habitats of the Indian giant squirrel.

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