The Grizzled Giant Squirrel
- Distribution: Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) and Sri Lanka
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical dry forests, riverine forests
- Diet: Fruits, nuts, seeds, bark, insects
- Size: Body length 25-45 cm; tail length 35-50 cm
Appearance:
- It is one of the largest species of tree squirrels, measuring about 35-45 cm (14-18 inches) in length, excluding its tail.
- The fur is dense and usually gray or brown, often with a grizzled appearance due to lighter and darker hairs mixed together.
- The underparts are lighter in color, often creamy or white.
Habitat:
- The Grizzled Giant Squirrel inhabits tropical and subtropical moist forests in Sri Lanka.
- It prefers mature forests with tall trees for nesting and foraging.
Behavior:
- It is diurnal, being active during the day and resting at night in tree hollows or leaf nests.
- Like other giant squirrels, it is arboreal and spends most of its time in trees, where it moves with agility aided by strong limbs and sharp claws.
- Its diet consists mainly of fruits, nuts, seeds, and sometimes insects.
Distribution:
- Found exclusively in Sri Lanka, where it is distributed across various forested regions throughout the island.
- It has adapted to different elevations, ranging from lowland forests to higher elevations in mountainous areas.