Five-striped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii) lives in tropical dry forests across South Asia. It feeds on fruits and nuts. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Five-striped Palm Squirrel
- The northern palm squirrel can live at heights up to 4,000 m, thriving in montane forests as well as lowland gardens. Its adaptability lets it occupy a wide range of habitats, from tropical and subtropical dry deciduous forest to scrublands, plantations and grasslands. It also makes use of arable land, rural gardens and bustling urban areas, showing remarkable ecological flexibility.
- Feral colonies of the five-striped palm squirrel have established themselves in Perth, Western Australia after escaping from a zoo, demonstrating the species' ability to survive outside its native range. The population now spreads into the suburbs surrounding the Perth Zoo and occupies the zoo grounds. A separate colony was once recorded around Mosman, New South Wales, though it may no longer exist.
- In India the northern palm squirrel is a familiar sight even in megacities, with regular sightings in Delhi and Kolkata. It is fairly common throughout Indian urban areas, not limited to those cities, and can be seen in parks, gardens and streets. Its presence in large cities highlights its comfort in densely populated human environments.
- These squirrels do not naturally suffer from foot-and-mouth disease. Laboratory work in 1976 deliberately infected individuals and produced a severe form of the illness, but researchers were unable to pass the disease on to other squirrels.
- The species has been taken beyond its native range, establishing a very limited presence in Australia and also appearing in the United Arab Emirates as a result of the exotic pet trade. In Perth, Western Australia, a colony arose after individuals escaped from a zoo and now occupies the zoo grounds and spreads into the surrounding suburbs.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouth Asia
HabitatTropical dry forests
DietFruits and nuts
About the Five-striped Palm Squirrel
In the sun-dappled forests of the Indian subcontinent, the Five-striped Palm Squirrel darts with reckless abandon, its striped back a blur as it leaps from branch to branch with an agility that belies its tiny size. With a flick of its bushy tail, it launches itself into the unknown, its large, round eyes shining with a perpetual air of curiosity as it explores its arboreal realm. As it moves through the forest canopy, the Five-striped Palm Squirrel embodies the very essence of joy and freedom, its effortless bounding a testament to its remarkable adaptability and resilience.
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