Informatics Publishing Limited

A. T. Mishra

Abstract

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A. T. Mishra , S. E. H. Kazmi , Satya Prakash

Abstract

Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) has been found as an indicator of good health of forest as it feeds on most of the parts of trees like flower, fruits, leaf, bark and young shoots of a variety of species. Although it nests on diverse variety of plant species but mostly prefers tall trees like Terminalia tomontosa, Dillenia indica, D. pentagyna ,etc. It prefers to nest on the top of the trees. Though Indian giant squirrel feeds on parts of many plants but plant like iImli, mahulan, pakur, pipal, pant, barhgad are very important as the leaves and young shoots are eaten more and more by these animals. Forest with presence of a mixed deciduous forest where it could get diversity of trees to nest and feed on. Such trees provide an ideal habitat for this squirrel. Indian giant squirrel preferred a mixed deciduous forest, where it could get diversity of trees to nest and feed on. The discontinuity of tree cover, due to illegal felling, cutting of branches to feed the domestic animals by local villagers and illegal hunting (bishu shikar, poaching) have been the major threats for the survival of the Indian giant squirrel.

Keywords

Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica), Nesting Behavior, Feeding Behavior, Tall Trees, Top Canopy Dwelling

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A. T. Mishra

Abstract

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Seema Rani ¹, S. K. Mahato ¹, A. T. Mishra ¹

Affiliations
1 Dalma Base Colony, Dimna, Mango, Jamshedpur, IN

Abstract

The hilly-terrain of the sanctuary with its dense forest canopy along with the high availability of food and water makes it self-sufficient and capable of sustaining wild animals. Some direct methods like line transact method, water hole technique, roadside survey and indirect methods were used for monitoring the behavior of sloth bear. A total of 97 signs (both direct and indirect) of sloth bear were encountered in 10 transects taken in the 7 selected zones of Sanctuary. The current study has revealed that a viable population of sloth bear is found in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. The indirect evidences of sloth bear were at a higher side in the deep forest in comparison to the area adjoining to villages. The study also revealed the fact that the visit of sloth bear was more frequent in and around the fruit bearing trees such as mahua, ber and chalta, etc. A special kind of foraging habitat was also noticed as shown by the soil digs encountered, endorses the fact that sloth bear preferred eating red ants in the study area.

Keywords

Habitat, Foraging, Viable Population, Dry Deciduous Forest.

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