Nilgiri Stripped Squirrel
- Distribution: Western Ghats region of India (Nilgiri hills, Anaimalai hills)
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, montane forests
- Diet: Fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers, insects
- Size: Body length around 20-25 cm
Appearance:
- It has a distinctive appearance with a grayish-brown back and sides.
- The underparts are typically lighter in color, often creamy or white.
- It is characterized by three dark stripes running along its back, extending from head to tail.
Habitat:
- The Nilgiri Striped Squirrel inhabits a variety of habitats within the Western Ghats, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, as well as montane forests.
- It is often found in hilly and mountainous terrain with ample trees for shelter and foraging.
Behavior:
- It is diurnal, being active during the day and resting at night in tree hollows or leaf nests.
- As an arboreal species, it spends most of its time in trees, where it forages for fruits, nuts, seeds, and occasionally insects.
- It is agile and adept at climbing trees, using its sharp claws and long tail for balance.
Distribution:
- Found exclusively in the Western Ghats mountain range of South India, where it is distributed across various forested regions and elevations.