164 Funambulus pennantiiF. p. pennantii—Nepal and India (except for northernmost
India), and into Bangladesh. This form is darker.
F. p. argentescens—Pakistan and southeastern Iran. This
form is paler on the dorsum, with a whiter tail; paler on
the limbs, particularly the feet; and white on the venter.
conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information.
habitat: This species inhabits open plains and scrub coun-
try and is frequently found in the vicinity of villages.
natural history: The northern palm squirrel builds
globular nests around buildings, under tiles and eaves, in
hollow trees, on tree branches, and among palm leaves.
Adults are omnivorous, feeding on birds when they can
catch them, honey from unprotected beehives, and insects
(such as large quantities of termites and caterpillars) when
they are available. Their home range in Jodhpur is reported
to be 0.21 ha for males and 0.15 ha for females. Northern
palm squirrels breed throughout the year, with peaks in
March–April and July–August. Courtship involves mating
chases, mating calls, and grooming. It lasts for a day, and the
female may mate four to fi ve times with one or more males.
Litter size varies from two to four hairless young that have
a 4–5 cm head and body length and a 1.5–2 cm tail length.
Their eyes open at 10–15 days of age, and nursing continues
until they are 25–30 days old.general references: Bertolino 2009; Nameer and Molur
2008b.Funambulus sublineatus
(Waterhouse, 1838)
Dusky Palm Squirreldescription: This is the smallest species of Funambulus.
The three dorsal stripes tend to be obscured by the long fur.
The venter is dull and drab, and this species lacks a red mid-
ventral line on the tail.size: Female—HB 146.6 mm (n = 79); T 157.7 (n = 24); Mass
99.2 g (n = 2).
Male—HB 149.3 mm (n = 81); T 147.7 mm (n = 30); Mass
117.5 g (n = 57).
Sex not stated—HB 146.1 mm (n = 1).Funambulus pennantii. Photo courtesy Sudhir Shivaram.