Correct option is C
The Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) is a large tree squirrel that is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is one of the four species of giant squirrels found in the Indian subcontinent.
Habitat and Distribution
- Found in southern India (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Sri Lanka.
- Specifically, it inhabits dry deciduous forests, riparian forests, and hill forests.
- In India, it is primarily found in the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
- In Sri Lanka, it is distributed in lowland and montane forests.
Characteristics
- It is smaller than the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica).
- Its fur has a grizzled appearance due to the mixture of gray and white hairs.
- It is arboreal (tree-dwelling) and mainly herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and bark.
Conservation Status
- Listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List due to habitat destruction and fragmentation.
- Conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitat in protected wildlife sanctuaries.
Additional Information
Option (1) Northeast India and Burma (Incorrect):
- This region is home to the Malayan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), not the Grizzled Giant Squirrel.
Option (2) Western Himalayas (Incorrect):
- No giant squirrel species are found in the cold climate of the Western Himalayas.
Option (4) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Incorrect):
- The Andaman Giant Squirrel (Ratufa affinis) is found here, not Ratufa macroura.
