English: Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum:Chordata Class:Mammalia Order:Rodentia Family:Sciuridae Genus:Funambulus

Scientific Name: Funambulus Palmarum Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 15-20cm (6-7.8in) Weight: 100-120g (3.5-4.2oz) Top Speed: 17km/h (10mph) Life Span: 2-4 years Lifestyle: Solitary Conservation Status: Least Concern

Colour: Tan, Brown, Yellow Skin Type: Fur Favourite Food: Eggs Habitat: Thick forest and tropical jungles Average Litter Size: 3 Main Prey: Eggs, Fruit, Insects Predators: Human, Snakes, Wildcats Special Features: Stripes on back and long front teeth

Indian Palm Squirrel – An old Hindu legend explains how the Indian Palm Squirrel received the 3 stripes across its back. Basically, this squirrel helped Lord Rama and Vanara Sena build a bridge. The squirrel would roll in the sand and then run over to the bridge site and shake all the sand off. Lord Rama was very impressed with the dedication of the Indian Palm Squirrel and left 3 stripes across his back as he petted him. It is important to note that this association with Lord Rama could be part of the reason that squirrels are considered sacred in India. The Indian palm squirrel is also known as the three-striped palm squirrel, and is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is a tree squirrel about the size of a rat, and actually has five white stripes, although only three of them run the entire length of its body from neck to tail. Their diet is mostly made up of nuts and fruits. Like the eastern gray squirrel, the Indian palm squirrel is common in urban areas and lives comfortably in close proximity to humans. The Indian palm squirrel naturally hunts for small mammals, birds and insects but the Indian palm squirrel has caused problems in recent years as the Indian palm squirrel has taken to eating crops. An Indian palm squirrel only weighs around 100g making the squirrel easy prey for small meat-eating mammals and birds. The Indian palm squirrel has often been reported going into peoples houses and the Indian palm squirrel can often be seen running up and down trees and houses. Unlike other species of squirrel, the Indian palm squirrel does not hibernate in winter but instead the Indian palm squirrels will only emerge from the warmth of their nests during the afternoon on sunny days.

Indian palm squirrels create nests made up from grass and it is in the these nests that Indian palm squirrels give birth to and wean their young. Typically Indian palm squirrels give birth to 2 or 3 baby Indian palm squirrels which are weaned by the mother Indian palm squirrel until the baby Indian palm squirrel is around 10 weeks old.