Nesting and Feeding Behaviour of Indian Giant Squirrel (<I>Ratufa indica</I>) in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Jamshedpur (Jharkhand)

Abstract

Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) has been found as an indicator of good health of forest as it feeds on most of the parts of trees like flower, fruits, leaf, bark and young shoots of a variety of species. Although it nests on diverse variety of plant species but mostly prefers tall trees like Terminalia tomontosa, Dillenia indica, D. pentagyna ,etc. It prefers to nest on the top of the trees. Though Indian giant squirrel feeds on parts of many plants but plant like iImli, mahulan, pakur, pipal, pant, barhgad are very important as the leaves and young shoots are eaten more and more by these animals. Forest with presence of a mixed deciduous forest where it could get diversity of trees to nest and feed on. Such trees provide an ideal habitat for this squirrel. Indian giant squirrel preferred a mixed deciduous forest, where it could get diversity of trees to nest and feed on. The discontinuity of tree cover, due to illegal felling, cutting of branches to feed the domestic animals by local villagers and illegal hunting (bishu shikar, poaching) have been the major threats for the survival of the Indian giant squirrel.