Found in the lush forests of Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand, this magnificent rodent is among the largest squirrels in the world. Draped in soft fur ranging from pale cream to rich buff or golden brown, and often accented by a darker back or tail, the cream-coloured giant squirrel looks like something out of a forest fairytale—elegant, quiet, and perfectly at home among the towering treetops it rarely leaves.

Despite its large build, it moves with astonishing grace, leaping distances of up to six meters (about 20 feet) between trees with its bushy tail acting as a perfect balance. It spends nearly all of its life in the upper canopy, rarely descending to the ground, which protects it from many predators. Its long, muscular limbs and strong claws make it an expert climber, able to cling to slender branches with ease. Observing one in motion is like watching a dancer glide between treetops—its leaps are silent, confident, and astonishingly precise.

Diet-wise, the cream-coloured giant squirrel has a particular fondness for young shoots and unripe fruit, which provide both nutrients and moisture. Like other members of the Ratufa genus, it plays a crucial ecological role as a seed disperser, ensuring that the forest regenerates and maintains its diversity. Its feeding habits are surprisingly tidy—it often sits upright on a branch, holding food delicately in its front paws while nibbling with its large incisors, much like a tiny forest gourmand. After eating, it may sun itself briefly on a high limb before vanishing into the canopy’s green labyrinth.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Brunei

2016

Indonesia

2016

Sumatera, Kalimantan

Malaysia

2016

Singapore

2016

Thailand

2016