Indian palm squirrel
Indian palm squirrelThree-striped palm squirrel
Scientific Name: Funambulus palmarum
Discovered by: Linnaeus (1766)
Location: India
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Population: Unknown, but considered relatively widespread.
Physical Characteristics
Length: 15-20 cm
Coloration: Generally grey or brown, with three prominent stripes on the back
Locomotion: Arboreal quadrupedalism; agile climbers and jumpers
Life History
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal; active during the day, resting in tree hollows or nests at night
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Sciuridae
Genus
Funambulus
Species
palmarum
Habitat & Distribution
Tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, scrublands, and human-modified habitats such as gardens and parks
Geographical Range: Indian subcontinent; found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Nepal.
Habitat Adaptations
- Agility for navigating complex arboreal environments
- Tolerance of human proximity
Key Adaptations
- Arboreal adaptations: strong claws, prehensile tail
- Dietary adaptations: specialized teeth for seed cracking
Senses
Vision
Range: Good visual acuity
Sensitivity: Color vision
Hearing
Range: Good hearing for detecting predators
Sensitivity: None
Conservation
Current Threats
- Habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization
- Human-wildlife conflict (e.g., crop raiding)
Conservation Efforts
- Protection within some protected areas