Species Details

@Samiul Mohsanin,Jahangirnagar University,Dhaka

Black Giant Squirrel Did you see this animal?

Scientific Name : Ratufa bicolor
Family : Sciuridae
Order : Rodentia
Class : Mammalia
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Malayan Giant Squirrel
Habitat : Forest
 
Description : Black giant squirrels are one of the largest species of squirrels, with a head and body length ranging from 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) and a tail length of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 inches).
They can weigh between 1.5 to 2.0 kg (3.3 to 4.4 lb), with males being larger than females.

As the name suggests, the black giant squirrel has black fur all over its body. However, some individuals may have a reddish or yellowish tinge on their underside.

They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, nuts, and seeds, as well as leaves, bark, and flowers.

They are found in the tropical and subtropical forests. Black giant squirrels are arboreal and diurnal, spending most of their time in trees and coming down to the ground only to forage for food or to drink water.

Social Stru/Black giant squirrels are usually solitary, but sometimes they can be found in small groups, especially during the breeding season.

The black giant squirrel is listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although habitat loss and fragmentation are potential threats to their survival.
 
Distribution in Bangladesh
References:
description written by:Asad U. Tanvir,Department of Zoology,Jagannath University,Dhaka; reviewed by:Muntasir Akash,Department of Zoology,University of Dhaka;Taxonomic Checklist:Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals, 2015, IUCN; information sources:Wikipedia , iucnredlist.org; photo credit:Samiul Mohsanin (Jahangirnagar University,Dhaka), photo credit:Samiul Mohsanin, (Jahangirnagar University,Dhaka), photo copyright: Samiul Mohsanin.more information please contact with us.