Report sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions
See it? Report it. Use the online form for any sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions.
Why is it important to report Indian palm squirrels?
Indian palm squirrels are capable of establishing wild populations in NSW impacting the environment, amenity and agricultural production.
They
- eat flowers and fruit, as well as nibbling and dropping unripe fruit
- can damage electrical wiring and other infrastructure.
Description
There are five distinct species of Indian palm squirrels. The two most abundant and best-known species are F. pennantii and F. palmarum.
The Indian palm squirrels are about the size of a black rat. They have:
- large bushy tails with long creamy white and black hairs
- mostly grey-brown fur with a creamy white or brownish belly. Some species are more reddish and F. layardi, has a reddish belly.
- small triangular ears
- at least three brown and white stripes running along their body, F. pennantii (Five-stripped palm Squirrel) has an additional two pale stripes along its sides between the front and back legs
- chisel sharp teeth that grow constantly.
The two most abundant and best-known Indian palm squirrel species, F. pennantii and F. palmarum range in size from 225–400 mm total length (including 110–120 mm long tail).
Breeding
In Australia the Five-stripped palm Squirrel has escaped from Perth Zoo. In Perth they:
- breed from August to May with a gestation period of 42 days
- can produce 2 litters a year with up to 5 young (the average is 2- 3)
- make grass nests in trees or sometimes in a roof or wall
- wean their young at about 10 weeks
- are sexually mature at about 9 months old.
Their life span in captivity might be 5-6 years however in their country of origin, India they live for about 18 months.