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Giridhar Gopal in Bhubaneswar
The hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel [scientific name: Callosciurus Pygerythrus] has been sighted in Orissa, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa, Biswajit Mohanty, said on Thursday.
The squirrel was spotted in the forests of Chattighar in the district of Dhenkanal, he told rediff.com.
It was grey in colour, larger than the common Five-striped Palm Squirrel but smaller than the Indian Giant Squirrel, he said. It had a long tail and is considered an expert climber, he said.
It has been reported to reside at the lower elevations of the Himalayas at heights from 500 feet to 5000 feet.
According to the list available with the Chief Wildlife Warden of Orissa, so far four species of squirrels have been reported from Orissa's forests -- Indian Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Three-striped Palm Squirrel and Five-striped Palm Squirrel.
The Indian Giant Squirrel has been observed in the thickly forested areas of Kapilas, Simlipal, Barbara, Satkosia, Keonjhar, and Narsinghpur in Orissa.
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