Mammals Active during the day

Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel

Ratufa macroura

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Known as the 'Grizzled Giant,' this master of the canopy is one of the largest squirrels in the world. With its salt-and-pepper coat and incredible leaping power, it is a spectacular sight for anyone lucky enough to spot it in the highlands of Sri Lanka or the river forests of Southern India.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Head-to-body length of 25–45 cm (10–18 in) with a tail of 25–50 cm (10–20 in); weighs between 1.5–3 kg (3.3–6.6 lbs)

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Colors

Grizzled grey to brownish-black upperparts with a white or creamy-yellow underbelly and a dark, bushy tail

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Key Features

Grizzled 'salt and pepper' fur texture
Exceptionally long, bushy tail
Large size compared to garden squirrels
Small, rounded ears with short tufts

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-9 AM, 4-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily herbivorous, consuming wild fruits, nuts, seeds, tree bark, and young leaves. They occasionally eat insects and bird eggs for protein.

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Habitat Riparian forests, tropical montane forests, and mature suburban gardens with high canopy cover.

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Where Does the Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel Live?

This magnificent giant squirrel is native to the island of Sri Lanka and parts of Southern India. It is primarily found in the highland forests of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka. In India, its range is more restricted, occurring in isolated patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and within the hill forests of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is a specialist of mature forests and rarely ventures far from established riverine corridors or high-canopy environments.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

25K km² Range

Near Threatened Conservation

Sri Lanka IN India

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

150 m – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel is an arboreal acrobat, spending nearly its entire life in the high canopy. These squirrels are primarily solitary and highly territorial, marking their domain within the treetops. They are known for their incredible leaping ability, capable of jumping up to 6 meters between branches to escape predators or reach a fresh food source. When they sense danger, they have a unique habit of freezing and flattening their bodies against a branch, using their grizzled fur to blend perfectly with the bark.

While shy and wary of humans, they are remarkably vocal. Their presence is often detected by a loud, rattling 'staccato' call that echoes through the forest. In home gardens adjacent to forest patches, they may become semi-habituated to human presence, provided there are tall fruit trees like mango or jackfruit to keep them safely above the ground. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, retreating to leaf-lined nests, or 'dreys,' during the midday heat.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel on camera, you must think vertically. These mammals rarely touch the forest floor, so mounting your camera at eye level will likely only net you images of ground-dwelling species. Instead, use a ladder or a climbing strap to secure your camera 10 to 15 feet up a sturdy tree trunk. Look for 'highways'—thick horizontal branches that connect different parts of the canopy—as these are the squirrel's primary travel routes.

Lighting is a major challenge in the canopy. The high contrast between bright sky and dark foliage can wash out your images. Position your camera so it is not facing directly into the morning or evening sun. Since these squirrels move with sudden, jerky movements and long leaps, use a camera with a fast trigger speed (under 0.3 seconds) and set it to take a 'burst' of 3-5 photos. This increases your chances of getting a clear shot of the squirrel in motion rather than just a blurry tail.

While we don't recommend traditional baiting, you can increase your odds by placing cameras near ripening fruit. If you have a fruiting tree in your yard, such as a mango or tamarind, focus your camera on a branch leading toward the fruit clusters. Ensure the camera's PIR (motion) sensitivity is set to 'high' because, despite their size, their movement high up in the breeze-blown branches can sometimes be missed by less sensitive sensors.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel.

Indian Giant Squirrel

Much more colorful with maroon and cream fur; significantly larger ears with prominent tufts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sri Lankan Giant Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They have two peak activity windows: shortly after sunrise (6-9 AM) and in the late afternoon before dusk (4-6 PM).

The best way to attract them is by preserving or planting tall, native fruiting trees like Mango, Jackfruit, or Jamun. They require a continuous canopy to feel safe, so they are more likely to visit yards that connect to larger wooded areas.

They have a varied diet consisting mainly of fruits, nuts, and seeds. They are also known to eat tree bark and will occasionally raid bird nests for eggs or consume insects to supplement their protein intake.

They are not common in densly urban areas. However, they can be found in lush, wooded suburban gardens in Sri Lanka and Southern India, especially if those gardens are near riparian forests or montane reserves.

The Sri Lankan (or Grizzled) Giant Squirrel is slightly smaller and has a distinctive 'grizzled' grey or brown appearance. The Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) is much more colorful, often featuring deep maroon, purple, and cream-colored fur.

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