Oriental giant squirrels
are very large squirrels from the genus Ratufa in the subfamily
Ratufinae. They are found in parts of south- and southeast Asia.
There are four living species of oriental giant squirrels:
* Pale Giant Squirrel, Ratufa affinis
* Black Giant Squirrel, Ratufa bicolor
* Indian Giant Squirrel, Ratufa indica
* Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Ratufa macroura
In prehistoric times this lineage was more widespread. For example,
animals very similar to Ratufa and possibly belonging into this genus -
at least belonging into the Ratufinae - were part of the early Langhian
(Middle Miocene, some 16-15.2 million years ago) Hambach fauna of
Germany. |
