Behaviour and food habits of the giant tree squirrels (Ratufa bicolor and R. affinis) in Peninsular Malaysia

Lim, Boo Liat (1992) Behaviour and food habits of the giant tree squirrels (Ratufa bicolor and R. affinis) in Peninsular Malaysia. [Journal / Magazine]

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Abstract

Field and laboratory observations were carried out on the hehaviour and food habits of the two species of Giant Squirrels. Of the 14 encounters on Ratufa bicoior and 9 of R. affinis, 85.7% and 88.9% were solitary encounters as compared to 14.3% and 11.1 % which were sodal encounters involving two participants, thus confirmin~ that hoth these two species were generally soli• tary in nature. R. hienior was found to he more confined to the upper canopy levels of 25m and above while R. a.ffinis frequented the middle storey helow Sm with greater frequencies than R. bicolor. Both the Ratufa spp. were observed to feed on ripen and unripen fruits with no specific preference from one to the other. R. a,ffinis was observed eating the shoots and leaves of fruit trees with a higher frequency than R. hicoior, while the latter's preference was more confined to fruits. At least 15 genus of fruit trees were identified which were frequented by both these animals. Stomach contents of both the Ratufa spp. revealed R. hicolor showed a greater preferem:e for fruits than R. a.ffinis, but for leaves and shoots, it was the reverse situation. Insect particles were found in stomach contents of relative percentage in hoth the Ratufa spp. Animal particles were found only in the stomach contents of R. bicolor only. Feeding experiments on greens, insects and fruits between both the Ratufa spp. further confirmed the feeding behaviours of both these species in nature. Parasites pattern were identical in both the Ratufa spp. The findings of the trombiculid mite, Ascoxchoengastia audyi and a blood protozoan, Hepatocystis, both of which are associated with arboreal rodents, further confirmed that both the Ratufa spp. are restricted to the canopy levels in the forest. Most of the seeds of fruits eaten by both the Ratufa spp. were still intact suggesting that they may be potential as seed dispersers.

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