The Crea m-coloured
Giant Squirrel or Pale Giant Squirrel (Ratufa affinis) is a species of
rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, and Thailand. It is probably extinct in Singapore, as no
recent sightings have been made.
The giant squirrels (Ratufa) are distinctive element of the fauna of
southern Asia. There are four subspecies of Ratufa affinis recognized:
Ratufa affinis sandakanensis, R. a. baramensis, R. a. cothurnata, and R.
a. ephippium. The giant squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in Borneo.
The large squirrel is very colourful, and its coloration varies widely.
Its large body size makes it to be seen easily. The upper part of the
body is dark brown or grey in color, while the under part of body is
dark yellow and white in color. The ear of the giant squirrel is short
and round. The length of head and body is in range of 322 to 350
millimetres (12.7 to 13.8 in), the tail is 373 to 438 millimetres (14.7
to 17.2 in), and the weight is around 929 to 1,575 grams (2.05 to 3.47
lb). In Perak, the giant squirrel was found in Hutan Simpan Belum. The
habitat of giant squirrel includes dipterocarp and lower montane forest,
and secondary forest. They rarely enter plantations and like to make
holes in trees as their shelter. They live in high areas but sometime
they came down for hunting small species of squirrel[citation needed] or
to cross gaps in the tree canopy. They are diurnal, active during
daytime and in the afternoon. They can live either in pairs or alone.
When it is angry or shocked, it will give loud sound and can be hear
from far. During the breeding season, a large globular nest is
constructed in tree branches and the nest is about the size of an
eagle’s nest. The young are born and raised in this nest. The main
dietary habits of Ratufa affinis are seeds with some leaves, bark,
fruits, nuts, bark, insects, and eggs. These squirrels do not sit
upright with the tail arched over the back while feeding; instead, they
balance themselves with their hind feet on a branch so that their hands
are free to control the food. In this position the axis of the body is
held at right angles to the support, with the head and forequarters on
one side of the branch and the tail as a counterweight on the other
side. The very short thumb is very important in helping to hold food. |
