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Giant Squirrel

Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) is distributed throughout the island in suitable habitats as three different subspecies. They are diurnal and arboreal, always live in forests or near by villages with some trees. Its diet consists of leaves, barks and young twigs and shoots of trees and also wild fruits, berries and nuts in their seasons. It is said that insects, grubs and occasionally bird eggs are also included in its food. They build their nests among branches of tall tree within its territory demarcated by a solitary squirrel or a pair, using small branches and twigs. (biodiversityofsrilanka.blogspot.com)

pictured is Subspecies Ratufa macroura melanochra at hiyare Nature Reserve, Sri Lanka

 

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Uploaded on July 19, 2016
Taken on July 19, 2016