The Kerala squirrel. Wed 3rd Oct, 2012
October 3, 2012 in Wildlife Village by Susan M
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Good Morning Everyone
I am standing in for Jan today so I hope you enjoy reading about this beauty
The Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel, (Ratufa indica) is a large tree squirrel species genus Ratufa native to India. It is a large-bodied diurnal, arboreal, and herbivorous squirrel found in South Asia.
The Kerala squirrel has a conspicuous two-toned (and sometimes three-toned) color scheme. The colors involved can be creamy-beige, buff, tan, rust, brown, or even a dark seal brown. The underparts and the front legs are usually cream colored, the head can be brown or beige, however there is a distinctive white spot between the ears. Adult head and body length varies around 14 inches (36Â cm) and the tail length is approximately 2Â ft (0.61Â m). Adult weight – 2Â kg (4.41Â lb).
Behavior
Malabar Giant squirrels feeding on a ripe jack fruit in Nagarhole NPThe Indian giant squirrel is an upper-canopy dwelling species, which rarely leaves the trees, and requires “tall profusely branched trees for the construction of nests.”It travels from tree to tree with jumps of up to 6 m (20 ft). When in danger, the Ratufa indica often freezes or flattens itself against the tree trunk, instead of fleeing. Its main predators are the birds of prey and the leopard. The Giant Squirrel is mostly active in the early hours of the morning and in the evening, resting in the midday. It is a shy, wary animal and not easy to discover
Distribution
The species is endemic to deciduous, mixed deciduous, and moist evergreen forests of peninsular India, reaching as far north as the Satpura hill range of Madhya Pradesh (approx. 22° N).
As can be seen in the range map of this species, it occupies isolated ranges that are widely separated from each other, thus producing conditions favorable for speciation. The squirrels found within each of these isolated ranges share distinctive color schemes, making it easy to identify which region a particular squirrel is from, as well as leading to the controversy (see section below on Subspecies) as to whether these different color schemed subspecies ought to be considered as unique species
Family Life
The Indian Giant Squirrel lives alone or in pairs. They build large globular nests of twigs and leaves, placing them on thinner branches where large predators can’t get to them. These nests become conspicuous in deciduous forests during the dry season. An individual may build several nests in a small area of forest which are used as sleeping quarters, with one being used as a nursery
Reproduction
Captive breeding of the Malayan giant squirrel, a close relative has indicated births in March, April, September and December. The young weigh 74.5 gms at birth and have a length of 27.3 cms. In Canara, the Indian Giant Squirrel has been spotted with young in March
More Info from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_giant_squirrel
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The Dyfi Osprey Project and the Scottish wildlife Trust  have kindly given their permission for us to post still and video images from their webcams. To visit their sites please click on the relevant link.   Loch of the Lowes.  Dyfi Osprey Project.
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Thank you for filling in Susan. I’ll Read it properly tomorrow though. In the meantime Its good news from the cove. Bad weather has brought the boats back in early Xxx
Excellent, Ann, praying for a tornado or a hurrican next.
That certainly is a gorgeous creature, Susan !
Thanks Ann, it certainly was good news again last night. Long may it continue. My heart sank watching those poor dolphins in those horrible pens when the storms arrived at Taiji, they must have been petrified not being able to swim away. xx
Ann – Glad to hear the news is good from the cove. Hope there are storms there all the season.
Good news Ann – hope your back is easing xxxr
Good night all “~”
Morning, what a gorgeous squirrel. Thanks Susan, will have a look at the video when I return from work. Hope everyone has a lovely day xx
Thanks Susan – loved this one today.
Thanks Marion and Fi, it is gorgeous isnt it, and so unusual in colour xx
Brownsea Island trees protected from Dutch elm disease:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-19801123
Tree rings reveal Amazon’s rainfall history:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19788671
Half of Great Barrier Reef coral lost in last 27 years:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19800253
Lets hope with there weekly checks they can save those lovely trees. Such an awful disease is dutch elm.
Very interesting about the trees rings in the Amazon trees
Such a shame about the coral reef. those Crown of Thorns are quite destructive
Thanks Marion, great links xx
Oldest prosthetic helped Egyptian mummy to walk:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19802539
Wow, that is amazing and so interesting, I do enjoy reading about the Egyptian. A lot more to them than meets the eye. xx
That’s amazing Marion – even more amazing if it helped a mummy to walk!!! lol
Ems posted this on the Dyfi Facebook site:
“19:00 It’s been a day like no other in Machynlleth today. Hundreds of people have joined forces and gone out to look for young April Jones. Many of these were DOP volunteers.
A 46 year old man has been arrested, a driver of a white van which police believe April was abducted in. There have been police helicopters searching in the skies all day and are now gathering their search in fading light near the Dyfi bridge and the Millennium bridge, around 200 metres away.
I took this photograph whilst I was out searching this afternoon, you can see the Millennium bridge on the left hand side – it crosses the Dyfi River around two miles up stream from the osprey nest. I believe that the man was arrested walking away from his van next to the bridge, on the road you can see in the distance, just around 20 minutes after I took the photograph.
The Police have just made an announcement that they are “hopeful that April is still alive”. Let’s hope so.
Police emergency number to report any information 0300 2000 333
UPDATE: 19:17 A large yellow Sea King, Search and Rescue helicopter has just gone straight over to the direction of the bridge. The first time this helicopter has been around today – let’s hope they’ve found April and it’s a rescue operation.”
Latest on the search for April:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19810907
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, as I am sure yours are too
Thanks Marion, must be awful up there and Ems helping out in the search too.
I am watching sky at the moment and there has been an unscheduled conference any time now, instead of 1pm, lets home it is good news.
Thoughts and prayers are with the family xx
Thanks for the links Marion – the papers are full of it this morning. The poor family – I can’t imagine how they must be feeling. According to the paper it said April told her friend that she knew ‘them’ so if there was more than one person in the van lets hope April is safe with the other one xxx
well done Susan,
another great post.
good news from the cove, fingers x ed
for little APRIL.
Marion many thanks for the links.
george.
Thanks George, glad you enjoyed it.
Yes fingers crossed for little April xx
Susan – The Kerala squirrel is indeed a beautiful creature, what stunning colours and I love the tufty ears. Thank you for bringing it here for us and also for yesterdays Pistol Shrimp post.
I did not get on here yesterday, life seems to be hectic just lately. Thankfully my boss is away on holiday for the next 2 weeks and Tim has next week off, so we can have a bit of a rest, and if the weather is not too bad, get out and about locally.
What a dreadful time for the family of little April. I just prey she is still alive and can be reunited with her mum and dad soon. God bless and protect you little one, and angels are watching over you.
You may have seen Jill refer to a spooky story that I have only shared with her last Saturday. It was a dream I had recently and involves Aberystwyth, a place I have never been to, in fact I have never been to Wales, apart to a brief hour in Rhyl many years ago. I do not wish to give details of the dream until events in Machynlleth are resolved. At the time I thought it was to do with Dyfi and I was being prompted to visit the new hide there next year. I am feeling quite uneasy now.
Must get off to work, have a good day everyone.
Love Julie xxx
Morning Julie, glad you enjoyed the 2 posts.
Thanks good that you both will have some time to spend together while your boss is off for a couple of weeks.
You have my attention now Julie about your dream. xxx
Julie I fear your dream may not have had good vibes, but lets hope for a good outcome. However regarding
dreams I’m sure Shirley won’t mind me saying, a couple of weeks ago I had a fleeting dream of seeing Shirley
in a car with a large dog sitting beside her and in my dream thought how wonderful she has found another dog,
although I couldn’t distinguish the breed. I messaged Shirley and low and behold she had made a trip to see
an eight year old Newfie that needed a new home, however she arrived to find a family there deciding they would
like him. She wasn’t upset as he had found a nice home but obviously I was tuned in!!!!! So dreams are
important there is often a message to take notice of.
Don’t fret if yours wasn’t good it is sometimes more complicated to understand than that.
Dx
Hi all,
What a beautiful creature you have brought us today Susan – it looks like it is wearing a black cloak. Thanks for standing in for Jan.
I have decorators in at the moment putting up some coving in the hall – quite a nightmare as I have to keep the dogs locked up with me and struggling to keep them amused in one room. I hate having people in the house but sometimes it is necessary.
Just going to put the T.V. on and see if there is any news of April – who would abduct a five year old – it’s just terrible
Morning Jack, It is lovely and so unusual in colour. I can imagine you trying to keep the dogs amused Jack, lol xx
Dyfi police have shown the picture of the Landrover and said what the number plate is too, and a pic of the guy they have arrested. The land rover is a darkish blue not light or cream, other than than no more news about April.
Good Morning all. Susan a brilliant creature – we have an incredible planet!. Like all of us my heart is in Wales with all those involved in the search for little April – and all the other families who will once again be going through their own nightmares.
FIONA – she chose her own name. you know cats – Belle was added for our sanity, she is a real madam. Russian names eh, Ivan,Igor, Grigor, Peter, Mikhail, Steffan……………many. many more. ANN love get a board under your mattress it will cut days maybe weeks off your recovery, thankyou for the welcome back it’s been a weird year but you guys are my constant. JULIE love your dream may be different from what your fearing – we often interpret them wrong. We are going into Chorley today for Vicky to have an eye test, the weather is as it was yesterday trying to show four seasons in twenty- four hours. George do you have a new greyhound?. Well still no new news of little April and time is moving on. I will slowly catch up on all I’ve missed. Tomorrow I’m working all day (yuk!).xxx
Morning Shirley, yes we do have an incredible planet, just a pity Man seems hell bent on destroying it.
Hope Vicky gets on ok at the opticians.
Catch you later Shirley. It is so lovely to see you in the village, you have been missed xx
Another one FIONA – Pushkin! Dx
hi Shirley,
yes i do, i had to have my pal Josh put
to sleep.
the new hound is called Woody he is another ex
racer a big softy who wants cuddles all day.
george.
Right must go and get ready, popping into town with Mum, so catch up with you all in a bit xxx
Hi all,
Flying visit as I am trying to catch up with everything, the last few days have been horrendous with my tum so have
stopped taking everything except my fish oils and things are calming down for the present but needless to say haven’t
felt like doing too much, will catch up with all the blog later today after we’ve taken Rosie for her cut and blo-dry! Just
glimpsed the boats didn’t get a catch last night, so something good but worried as to where little April is can’t help feeling
negative about her safety, such a vast wild area to search.
Will see you all later. Have a good day everyone.
Dx
Hi D, hope your feeling a little better today, you take it easy.
Awww little Rosie going to get her hair done, she’ll look gorgeous xx
SUSAN how could I forget to say thank you for such a darling little squirrel, I’m sure he would see off our menagerie of greys that are eating us out of house and home at the moment. Such a beautiful coat, loved the post.
Dx
Susan, yet another wonderful animal you’ve uncovered for us!! Goodness knows how much time you must spend researching them to share with us! A striking squirrel, and as Jacqs says, the colour patterns give it the appearance of wearing a cloak, also, I thought it’s arms look like it’s been pumping iron!! LOL
Shirley Anne, it’s great to see you posting again, you’ve been missed girl!! xxx
Your both welcome, glad you liked it. Yes it has a gorgeous coat, it would certainly give the Greys a run for their money, lol xx
On my lunchbreak, I have brought my tablet with me so that I can keep up with any news on April. I am very anxious.
Jill has been in touch – Big dissapointment, she’s sitting with 3 single ladies! But having a good time.
Oh poor Jill – nothing to get excited about tbere then! But at least she is having a good time.
Julie – I know how you must be feeling about your dream – let’s all hope it’s a happy outcome for little April xxx
LOL, Oh poor Jill, no luck with the Laddies’ then, lol xx
Good afternoon everyone.
Just been catching up on todays blog, Thank you MARION for bringing us EMS post on April Jones, this is just so sad, my thoughts and prayers are with April’s parents and family members at this time.
SUSUAN thank for standing in today, I loved reading about the kerala Squirrel, what a beautiful coat it has, very distinctive and, it’s amazes me how you find all these amazing creatures.
ANN thanks for the good news from Taiji today, I welcome any weather that stops the banger boats for setting sail.
Yesterday I received the second reply to our letter, this one is from Joanna Lumley, or more precisely, her PA. I will try to get it scanned today for you all to read. going to go for a quick nap just now. I was Early shift today and I am struggling to keep my eyes open, see you all soon.
Brilliant news Elaine, looking forward to seeing the letter.
Enjoy your nap xxxx
I see they have put up Breaking news, another conference is scheduled for 5.30pm on little April
Off to pick up Emma, back later xx
Where is everyone?
We were supposed to have heavy rain today,It’s been lovely The dogs have had a ball down at the beach.
SUSAN that was a great blog about the squirrel and so good looking.
Evening Angela – It’s very quiet here this evening. Glad you have had a nice day , we must have had all your rain! It’s been raining non stop for 3 days down here. Hope you are well.
Love Julie xxx
Hi Ladies, yes its been very quiet tonight. Was in earlier, but didn’t really feel like talking to myself, lol
Thats was great you got down on the beach with the dogs Angela, lucky you getting a good day. We have had rain on and off.
Glad you like the squirrel, and yes he was gorgeous, what a beautiful coloured coat he has.
Julie, you’ve had rain all day too. I think Angela sent it up hear as well, lol
xxxx
We had enough rain Sunday through to Tuesday,
The dogs have gone back to their Mum will be here Monday if not before,
All the tourist boats are now out of the water till the spring,they have had a terrible season,so many people going out of business .
There is supposed to be a lot of new building starting soon,believe it when it starts,the site has been derelict for years,so many rumours Tenby is good for that !!!!
what a shame Angela that some of the boats are going out of business, the weather has been rotten though.
We are the same here Angela, with buildings empty and the promise of getting new businesses into Paisley, but all these big under cover shopping centres are taking them away from the towns xx
You are right there Susan – the big shopping centres have killed off most town centres – which is why places like York are so attractive to tourists – now it seems to be swinging back again – what is that saying – keep your old clothes they will come back in fashion – so true xxx
But they are still building these out of town malls and most people would like their town shops back,Hay on Wye is one place fighting hard to keep supermarkets out,
York is wonderful but it’s many years since we were there.Swansea has a great indoor market,the lamb we get is the best I have ever had but its a bit of a run for weekly shopping,we do have a very good farm shop about 20 mins away freshest fish possible at the harbour
will pop back in a bit xx
Well just popped back to say night night but seems you have all gone – never mind I will still say night night – thinking about April and her family and hoping for good news tomorrow xxx
Sorry Jack, night night and sweet dreams. Yes hope for some good news for April xx