According to Hindu mythology, the striped back of squirrels is a symbol of Lord Rama’s blessings. As the story goes, when Lord Rama and his army were building a bridge to Lanka, a small squirrel was helping carry pebbles. Lord Rama fondly petted the helpful squirrel, leaving stripes along its back. These tropical squirrels still display the stripes today. Unlike ground squirrels that forage on the ground, tree squirrels jumps among branches. They eat fruits and insects. An old legend praises the dedication of tiny palm squirrels who aided in building Rama’s great bridge.
What is the common name for funambulus pennanti?
Preferred name: Funambulus pennanti. It is a species of rodent. Some authorities recognize two subspecies, F. p. pennantii and F. p. argentescens. The northern palm squirrel is a common species. It is an adaptable species and no particular threats have been identified. The IUCN has rated its conservation status as being of “least concern”. They are very active animals, spending much of their day foraging for food. Most activity, including foraging, breeding, playing, occurs during daylight. The squirrel was spotted in Budanilkantha temple where it can get an easy meal of nuts and fruits offered by the devotees. Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.
What are the characteristics of the funambulus?
Funambulus is Latin for tightrope walker. It describes the squirrel’s agility. Indian palm squirrels are endemic to India and Sri Lanka. Squirrels help build a bridge for Ram. Ancient Greeks were fascinated by tightrope-walking. It seemed to owe more to magic than technique. Some hematological values were determined in Funambulus pennantii. Data were collected for a year. There was no difference between sexes. Funambulus has six species, including the jungle palm squirrel. The taxonomy of Sciuridae includes the genus Funambulus. The red squirrel lives in mixed forests. It likes nuts and seeds. You’ll have to get up early for photos.
How do squirrels get their stripes?
Somewhere a squirrel was born with a genetic mutation that caused striped fur. This was a disadvantage at first as the stripes made him an easy target for predators. But the squirrel learned to use his stripes to his advantage. Over time, the squirrel population began to change.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are named for their 13 stripes – seven dark brown and six tan. The stripes do not extend onto the head.
Zinc phosphide is effective for control of thirteen-lined ground squirrels when large areas and several ground squirrels are to be treated. Many predators, including hawks and coyotes, eat ground squirrels.
Chipmunks are identified by stubby legs, bushy tails and the stripes on their backs. The main difference between chipmunk and gopher is that chipmunk has a slim body with black strips whereas gopher has a stockier body with black, brown or gray fur.
The story seeks to explain how the chipmunk got his stripes and delivers morals still applicable today. Lord Rama valued the squirrel’s help in building the bridge because it was done with love.
Squirrels rely on mast, especially acorns and nuts. Chipmunks hibernate but wake to feed on stored food. Ground squirrels pack nuts for storage. Only thirteen-lined ground squirrels have head stripes.
Lord Rama stroked the squirrel’s back leaving impressions of his fingers as three stripes seen today. Squirrels use their tails for balance, signaling, warmth, food storage and safe landings.