Mammalia > Rodentia > Sciuridae > Ratufa
Ratufa macroura Pennant, 1769 – Grizzled Giant Squirrel
Taxonomic Notes:
It is also known as Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel.
Currently there are three subspecies recognized for this species namely, R. m. macroura, R. m. dandolena, and R. m. melanochra. Previously proposed subspecies albipes, ceilonensis, ceylonica, macrura, montana, and tennentii are now synonymized with macroura.
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).
Currently there are three subspecies recognized for this species namely, R. m. macroura, R. m. dandolena, and R. m. melanochra. Previously proposed subspecies albipes, ceilonensis, ceylonica, macrura, montana, and tennentii are now synonymized with macroura.
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).Ratufa macroura – Grizzled Giant Squirrel
Juveniles:
Indian and global distribution:
records (based on images):
Identification:
Sexual, seasonal & individual variation:
Status, Habitat and Habits:
This species is endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is smallest of all Ratufa species. It inhabits dry as well as wet evergreen forests. It is an arboreal species, mostly found solitary. Its diet is composed of fruits, leaves, branches, and sometimes bird eggs. It makes nests (drey) high in the canopy.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).
According to IUCN Red List status population of this species is decreasing all over its range. It is estimated thta there are about 300 individuals in India. The population is heavily fragmented. Threats to its population mainly come from habitat fragmentation and loss. Residential and commercial activities, logging, agricultural expansion, hunting and trapping are the main threats.
This species is endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is smallest of all Ratufa species. It inhabits dry as well as wet evergreen forests. It is an arboreal species, mostly found solitary. Its diet is composed of fruits, leaves, branches, and sometimes bird eggs. It makes nests (drey) high in the canopy.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).According to IUCN Red List status population of this species is decreasing all over its range. It is estimated thta there are about 300 individuals in India. The population is heavily fragmented. Threats to its population mainly come from habitat fragmentation and loss. Residential and commercial activities, logging, agricultural expansion, hunting and trapping are the main threats.
References:
Mammalia > Rodentia > Sciuridae > Ratufa
Cite this page along with its URL as:
Bayani, A. 2023. Ratufa macroura Pennant, 1769 – Grizzled Giant Squirrel. A. Bayani, R. Chakravarty, P. Roy, and K. Kunte (editors). Mammals of India, v. 1.13. editors.
http://www.mammalsofindia.org/sp/461/Ratufa-macroura
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