One of the most stunning and unique squirrels in the world. Native to the forests of India, especially in the Western Ghats and central India, this tree-dwelling squirrel is known for its enormous size, bold colors, and acrobatic lifestyle. It can grow up to 36 inches (3 feet) long from head to tail, making it one of the largest squirrel species on Earth. But what really makes it stand out is its coat — a beautiful blend of deep maroon, rust, cream, and sometimes even purple or black. It looks like something out of a painting, and no two squirrels have the exact same color pattern.

It rarely comes down to the ground, preferring to leap from branch to branch using its strong legs and long, bushy tail for balance. These squirrels are amazing jumpers, able to glide through the canopy with leaps of up to 6 meters (20 feet) between trees. They build large, round nests called dreys out of leaves and twigs, placing them securely in the fork of tall branches. These nests aren’t just for sleeping — they’re also safe nurseries for raising their young.

The Indian giant squirrel is mostly active during the early morning and late afternoon, spending its day foraging for food like fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers, and tree bark. It’s a quiet animal that doesn’t often call out unless it feels threatened. Its secretive habits and forest lifestyle mean that many people in India have never seen one, even though it lives relatively close to human settlements in some areas. But those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it describe it as a magical experience, like seeing a living rainbow dart through the trees.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

India

LC

2016