Northern palm squirrel facts for kids
The northern palm squirrel (Funambulus pennantii), also known as the five-striped palm squirrel, is a type of rodent in the squirrel family. It's called "five-striped" because of the five light stripes on its back. This squirrel lives in trees and is found in many places, from forests to cities. It is a common animal with a wide range. Experts say it is a species of "least concern", which means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Quick facts for kids Northern palm squirrel |
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| At Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India |
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| Genus: |
Funambulus
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pennantii
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Contents
Where Northern Palm Squirrels Live
Northern palm squirrels are found in many countries. These include the Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Iran. In India, you can often see them in cities like Delhi and Kolkata.
This type of squirrel has also been brought to Australia. You can find them in Perth, Western Australia. They first appeared there after some squirrels escaped from a zoo. There was also a group near Taronga Zoo in Mosman, New South Wales, but they might not be there anymore. In Perth, these squirrels live around the zoo and in nearby suburbs. They usually have their babies between August and May.
In India, the exact southern edge of where these squirrels live is still being studied. However, we know they live as far south as Dharwar and Mysore in Karnataka.
What Kind of Places They Like
The northern palm squirrel can live in many different environments. It is a very adaptable animal. You can find it in tropical and subtropical dry forests. It also lives in mountain forests up to 4,000 meters (about 13,123 feet) high.
These squirrels also live in scrublands, farms, grasslands, and even in gardens in the countryside and cities. They are very good at making themselves at home almost anywhere.
How They Are Doing
The northern palm squirrel is a very common animal. It lives across a large area. There are no major threats that are putting this species in danger. Because it can adapt to many different places, its numbers are stable. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has said that its conservation status is "least concern". This means scientists are not worried about it becoming extinct soon.
Images for kids
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A northern palm squirrel in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.
See also
In Spanish: Ardilla de la palma del norte para niños
