The Wild Life of Root Squirrels

Let's get to know the Root Squirrel (Tupaia glis). This animal is a small mammal that is part of the Tupaiidae family, one of two squirrel families in the world.

This animal is native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. This squirrel is a commonly found species and is currently classified by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as a Low Risk (LC) species.

The Root Squirrel is one of the squirrels with the largest body size, with an average body length reaching 16 s.d. 21 cm and an average weight of 190 grams.

This squirrel is reddish brown, with a black or gray upper body and a white belly. Its long, thick brush-like tail – usually dark grayish brown – has a length that is more or less equivalent to the length of its body.

Root Squirrels have open palms, with long, sharp claws used for climbing. This animal has a long and pointed snout, small ears, and medium eyes.

In terms of physical appearance, male and female squirrels have more or less the same appearance.

Root squirrels mostly inhabit primary forests, but are known to be able to adapt to changing habitats, such as secondary forests, fruit plantations, and trees near residential areas.

The root squirrel is an animal that can climb agilely, and will sometimes jump from one tree trunk to another. This animal is active during the day, and can be seen foraging alone or with a partner, especially on the forest floor near tree holes, fallen branches, and undergrowth.

Root Squirrels are omnivorous animals that eat fruit that falls to the ground, leaves, and insects such as ants, spiders, and sometimes even lizards.

This animal often marks its territory using odors from glands in its chest and scrotum. Adult male squirrels tend to do more scent marking than adult female squirrels or juvenile squirrels.

Male and female squirrels will reach sexual maturity after three months of age. Between October and December, root squirrels are not actively reproductive, while the mating season will begin in December and end in February.

After a pregnancy period of 40 to. After 52 days, female root squirrels usually give birth to one to three baby squirrels.

Newborn baby squirrels will weigh around 10 s.d. 12 grams, and more often than not it will be abandoned by its two parents, and the female squirrel will only feed its young once every few days. These baby squirrels can even be completely ignored if they are not scent marked by their parents.

Young squirrels will reach adulthood quickly and leave their mother's nest after one month of age, and juvenile male squirrels are known to leave their nests earlier than females.

Even though the Root Squirrel is not currently classified as an animal facing the threat of extinction, this animal still faces threats from forest destruction.

The species also faces pressure from humans, as they are hunted for food or for sporting pleasure.

That's all the information about root squirrels, if you like it please support this post by giving as many votes as possible. Greetings from the sweet girl @gioelewcs