In 2006, squirrel expert John Koprowski visited India and first saw a Malabar giant squirrel. They are also known as Indian giant squirrels and he couldn’t believe his eyes.
He thought the animal was large enough to be a squirrel – more like a primate. However, this giant animal is not a primate – just a very large squirrel. They are twice the size of an eastern gray squirrel, with bodies that span 36 inches from head to tail.
Malabar giant squirrels are not only amazingly large, but they also have beautifully colored fur. It can be black, brown, and orange as well as maroon and purple. Especially maroon and purple colors, unusual in mammals. Bright colors and beautiful patterns are not only beautiful to look at, but it helps them survive in the wild.
According to Wikipedia, their diet includes fruits, flowers, nuts, and tree bark. Some subspecies are omnivorous and also eat insects and bird eggs.
They are quite shy, so the best way to see these giant squirrels is to climb a tree, stay very still, and wait for them to emerge from their nest.
Fortunately, these beautiful animals are not currently endangered, but they will need to be protected. If more awareness and protection are brought to this species, they may thrive in the future.
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(article h/t: aubtu.biz)
