Wildlifeof Thailand
Southern Black Giant Squirrel
Squirrels & Flying Squirrels
Photo: no rights reserved · CC0
Ratufa bicolor
Basic stats
Habitat
Tropical broadleaf evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, from sea level to at least 2,500m
Range
Northern Bangladesh and northeast India to southern China, mainland Southeast Asia including Thailand, West Malaysia and western Indonesia
Size
Head and body 34–37cm; tail 41–42cm
Weight
About 1.05–1.25kg
The black giant squirrel, also called the Malayan giant squirrel, is among the largest squirrels in the world. It is clearly two-toned: the back, top of the head, ears and bushy tail are deep brown to black, while the underparts are pale buff. An adult weighs roughly 1.05–1.25 kg, with a head and body of 34–37 cm and a tail of 41–42 cm (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives in forest across a wide range of elevations, and in Southeast Asia mainly in broadleaf evergreen and semi-evergreen forest. In the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia it is less abundant than elsewhere, probably because of competition for food in the upper canopy from other tree-dwelling species, especially primates. Settlement, logging, farming and hunting have cut its numbers in parts of its range (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Southern Black Giant Squirrel live in?
- Tropical broadleaf evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, from sea level to at least 2,500m
- Where is the Southern Black Giant Squirrel found?
- Northern Bangladesh and northeast India to southern China, mainland Southeast Asia including Thailand, West Malaysia and western Indonesia
- How big is the Southern Black Giant Squirrel?
- Head and body 34–37cm; tail 41–42cm
- How much does the Southern Black Giant Squirrel weigh?
- About 1.05–1.25kg