Check Out This Incredible Giant Squirrel From India That Looks Too Good To Be True

We’re in love. You would be too.

Jesse

• Published in Animal Stories
• February 18, 2023

The world is brimming with animals of different sizes, forms, and species. Yet, scientists haven’t discovered every animal on the planet.

As of 2023, scientists have asserted that there is an estimated amount of 8.7 million animal species living on Earth, which is only 10% of all the species on the planet. This means that millions of species are yet to be discovered.

Aside from being adorable or, in some cases, just fascinating or terrifying, these animals brighten up our lives and perform various functions on the planet. They serve a range of roles, including pest control, provision of companionship, pollination, and climate control.

Without these guys, the earth’s internal conditions will certainly be unstable. We bet that since scientists haven’t discovered all animal species, there are some animal benefits that they haven’t found also.

Thankfully, scientists are working tirelessly to find more species. Just a few months into 2023, there are many newly described species like DiCaprio’s snail-eating snake and the Stream treefrog.

We found a giant squirrel many have never seen before, and it looks every bit like a dream. This squirrel is so unique; it’s the state animal of Maharashtra in India.

Want to learn more about the Indian giant squirrel? Scroll down for some juicy details.

An incredible discovery

The Indian giant squirrel is also known as the Malabar giant squirrel. When squirrel expert John Koprowsk first saw it while visiting India, he was stunned due to it's massive size.

That’s the general feeling this fascinating creature inspires from multiple people.

Why it’s referred to as a giant

This squirrel is a lot bigger than other squirrel species. It looks more like a primate and is twice as large as an eastern grey squirrel, with a body that spans 36 inches from head to tail.

Malabar giant squirrels shine the brightest

This squirrel has gorgeous fur that comes in multiple colors. It can be orange, maroon, or purple, which are pretty unusual colors to find on mammals.

You can also find them spotting the standard brown color that’s synonymous with squirrels. These bright colors help them survive in the wild.

Their diet

This squirrel eats fruit, flowers, nuts, and tree bark. However, some subspecies are omnivorous and eat insects and bird eggs.

How to find Malabar giant squirrels

They are shy animals, so the best way to find them is to climb up a tree, stay quiet, and wait for them to come out of their nests.

Any noise will get them scampering for safety.

Good news!

Malabar giant squirrels are going to be around for a long time. They aren’t in danger of extinction, but they still need some form of protection. 

One more look for the culture. Aren’t they just too adorable?

Have you fallen in love with these guys as we have? We bet some people are planning to visit India to meet these guys. It’s understandable.

We can’t wait for all the other fascinating species scientists will find soon. 

What do you find most interesting about Malabar giant squirrels? Let us know in the comments section below!

Jesse