We often head outdoors to disconnect, unwind, or admire the view. But what if, for a moment, we stopped looking at the forest as visitors and started seeing it through the eyes of the ones who actually live there?
Welcome to Looking Outdoors, a series where we hand the mic to wildlife and let them tell us what the world looks like from their perspective.
Our first guest knows every fruiting tree in the neighbourhood, spends most of their time high above the forest floor, and insists that one home is simply not enough.
Joining us today is one of the Western Ghats’ branch managers… the Malabar Giant Squirrel.
Host: Welcome to Looking Outdoors! Thank you for joining us.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Thank you for having me.
You know, people spend hours walking through forests hoping to spot me.
Meanwhile, I’m usually right above them.
Host: (laughs) I suppose that’s because your world is very different from ours.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: It is.
You live life from the ground.
I experience it from the canopy.
I’ve always preferred top-tier living.
Host: Tell me about it.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Well, first of all, one home is never enough.
I’ve got a nest where I sleep, another where I raise my little ones, and a few more tucked away.
Host: That’s quite a collection.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: It has its advantages.
Firstly, who wants to be disturbed during their beauty sleep?
Secondly, if a predator starts paying a little too much attention to where I live, I simply move.
Having options is never a bad thing.
Especially when you’re solitary… and a little shy.
Host: So your home isn’t just where you live.
It’s part of how you survive.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Exactly.
And I like where I’ve built them.
High in the canopy.
Connected trees make getting around much easier.
I can move from one branch to another without coming down very often.
And I do like having a nice view.
Host: And what’s inside a giant squirrel’s home?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Nothing extravagant.
Twigs in my nest.
Figs in my mouth.
That’s usually enough to keep me happy.
Host: That’s unexpectedly poetic.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Living among trees does that to you.
Host: Interesting. Where’s your tribe from?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Most of my family lives across the Western Ghats.
Some relatives are in Central India.
As long as there are flowering and fruiting trees around, we’re happy.
The canopy has everything we need.
Host: What does a normal day in the canopy look like?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Well, I am active during the day so it starts with the sun.
I like to take my time getting ready.
I wear my maroon coat with tan patches, a quick brush of my bushy tail and I’m good to go.
Then I stop for a moment and scan around my home.
Host: You’re checking if the coast is clear?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Exactly.
If I spot a predator, I make sure they know they’ve got a giant squirrel around.
Host: How?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Through my calls.
I’m quite vocal.
I’ve got one for calling another squirrel.
Another when I feel threatened.
And then there’s my alarm call.
That one’s hard to miss.
Host: Who usually gets that honour?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Sometimes it might be someone trying their luck around my fruiting trees.
I’m quite territorial about those.
Other times…
Maybe a hawk-eagle.
Who wants to be watched like a hawk first thing in the morning?
I let out my loudest alarm call to warn them off.
Some fly away.
Some continue to trouble me.
And every now and then, I’ll stand my ground.
No one’s claiming my throne or peeking into my homes.
If it’s been a particularly eventful morning, I’ll shift to another nest for a couple of days.
It’s a simple survival trick.
Keeps the predators guessing.
I also make sure to check on my nursery nests regularly.
Host: And that’s all before breakfast?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Most days, yes. Though no two mornings in the forest are ever quite the same.
Then finally it’s time for fruits, flowers, or nuts, whatever I’m lucky enough to find.
The rest of the day is my favourite part.
The canopy turns into one giant jungle gym.
I’m hopping from branch to branch.
Climbing.
Stretching.
If there’s a fruit just out of reach…
I’ll find a way.
Host: You make it look so effortless for being one of the largest squirrel.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Well, grip strength helps.
So does my tail.
It keeps me balanced.
And hanging upside down?
That’s never been much of a challenge.
Jumping through trees is something of an art… One that only a fellow giant squirrel would understand and appreciate.
You know, how you guys do yoga to stretch? For us that’s a 24/7 lifestyle.
Host: Before we wrap up… I have one final question.
What’s one thing people don’t realise about the role you play in the ecosystem?
Malabar Giant Squirrel: That I’m helping even when I’m just having lunch.
I’ll often carry fruit (mostly figs) to another spot before I eat it.
Sometimes quite far from where I found it.
Without realising it, I drop seeds along the way.
So, in a way, my favourite meal helps the forest grow, too.
Host: That’s a lovely way to think about it.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Speaking of figs, I’m feeling quite hungry.
And my babies won’t appreciate me turning up late either.
So if you’ll excuse me…
Host: Of course, thanks for letting us spend a day in your world.
Malabar Giant Squirrel: Anytime.
Just remember, the next time you’re walking through a forest in the Western Ghats… Don’t forget to look up.
