The squirrel family, Sciuridae, is diverse, including ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, and immense tree-dwelling species. The difference in size between the smallest flying squirrel, which weighs only a few ounces, and the largest species is vast. This largest member redefines the scale of what a squirrel can be, holding the record for the biggest member of its kind.
Identifying the Largest Squirrel
The title of the world’s largest squirrel belongs to the Indian Giant Squirrel, Ratufa indica. It is also frequently called the Malabar Giant Squirrel, reflecting its native range in the Indian subcontinent. The Ratufa genus contains four species of giant squirrels, all significantly larger than average tree squirrels. While the Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) is a close contender in body length, the Indian Giant Squirrel surpasses it in maximum recorded total length and peak weight. This colorful inhabitant of the forest canopy dwarfs its smaller relatives.
Scale and Appearance
The Indian Giant Squirrel’s scale is its most distinguishing feature. Total body and tail length can reach up to one meter. The head and body alone measure up to 50 centimeters, with the tail often adding another 35 to 60 centimeters. This length is supported by a robust body that weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms, with some individuals approaching 3 kilograms.
The species is renowned for its striking, multi-colored coat, which varies dramatically across populations. The fur often appears in a two- or three-toned scheme, ranging from deep maroon, rust, and reddish-brown to vibrant orange. The underparts usually feature a creamy-beige or whitish color. This coloration serves as camouflage against the complex backdrop of the forest canopy. The squirrel possesses powerful claws and a broadened inner paw, adaptations for gripping the bark and branches of the large trees it inhabits.
Environment and Daily Life
The Indian Giant Squirrel is endemic to the forests of peninsular India, primarily residing in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Satpura Range. It is almost exclusively arboreal, spending its entire life high in the trees and rarely descending to the forest floor. Its large size requires it to inhabit the upper canopy of moist tropical, deciduous, and evergreen forests where the largest branches can support its weight.
The squirrel is diurnal, foraging during the day, typically in the early morning and late afternoon. Its diet is predominantly herbivorous, consisting of tree bark, flowers, seeds, fruits, and nuts, though it occasionally supplements this with insects or bird eggs. The species is agile, capable of making leaps of up to six meters between branches. The Indian Giant Squirrel constructs large, globular nests, known as dreys, high in the canopy using leaves and twigs, often building multiple nests for sleeping and rearing young.