You might think someone dyed this squirrel.

The Malabar giant squirrel is real, and it lives only in India. In the tall forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats, flashes of burgundy, rust, cream, and deep purple move between branches like living brushstrokes.

They are big for squirrels - a long body with an even longer tail. From a distance the colors look unreal. Up close they make sense. The patchwork helps them blend with shadow, bark, and leaves.

Locals call them shekru in some regions. They build round twig nests high in the canopy, far from ground predators. Most of their time is spent leaping tree to tree, gnawing fruit, flowers, and seeds, and sitting perfectly still when a raptor passes.

Photos of these squirrels go viral because the colors feel magical. But the truth is practical and beautiful at the same time. Nature paints for a reason.#elf #cameroon

I love that they remind us how much wonder still hides in plain sight. A rainbow in the trees, right where it belongs.

References
Yes, Giant Technicolor Squirrels Actually Roam Forests of Southern India - Smithsonian Magazine
Giant purple squirrels do exist - and they have an odd camouflage - National Geographic
Indian giant squirrel - IUCN Red List entry summary - IUCN/Species information
Indian giant squirrel: The 'rainbow' rodent that is also the world's largest squirrel - Live Science

Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.

#fblifestyle