Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) or Three-Striped Palm Squirrel is a urban dwelling rodent which co-habits with us in South India. Its cousin, the Five-striped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennanti) is common in North India. Both these are associated with man and cities, while other related species of striped squirrels like the Malabar Giant Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel and the nocturnal Flying Squirrels are forest dwellers.
That day there was a short respite from the torrential rain. I went out to shoot a couple of Racket Tailed Drongos which were frequenting my garden. What I got was this cute furry creature. I photographed this squirrel in cloudy evening light using Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM with Canon EF 1.4x II Extender.
I have covered these squirrels in my earlier blog – Indian Palm Squirrel. Unlike other rodents people seem to have a soft corner to this cute cuddly creature. Our mythology has abundant reference to this squirrel. They are great trapeze artists and enjoy balancing precariously over tiny branches as well telephone wires.
You can observe them frequently chasing one another, grooming each other and at times sunning themselves on the branches of trees. They nest in tree holes, amid branches of trees, in holes in the walls, or even in the ledge of the window of a house.
Fruits, nuts, nectar, tender shoots, flower buds, bark, insects and food and refuse put out by humans are all consumed often sitting on their haunches and using forelegs to manipulate food.
three-striped palm squirrel, please add also nest in roof tiles,
in 1956 ,whilst sleeping ,a soft ,red baby squirell landed on me,I knew it was a squirell & not a rat, as the pregnant mother used to eat the best mango,guava, custard apple.
This soft bundle , my pet, was trained in liberty to mix with her kind & return to my shelter at nightfall,sleep by me, nible my ears, roam my body,we travelled by road & sea( the arabian sea
to africa, on deck, at disembarkation, noise & typical activity, she was nervous,lost her bearings,was chased by other travelers,however she smelled me,& jumped on my outstratched hand,whilst I was making peculiar squirell language sounds,bit my thumb,I put her in my pocket,safe & calm we went through imigration & customs,boarded train,lived
free life via platform to mango & guava trees loved a brother, played fright games with mother & two brothers,however died 1964,could not bear to part with her,her skin still with me, my mascot,having travelled. india,africa live,europe,americas skin.
Your coments, photo,correct,add roof nest,additional info revert
KRGDS