• Hamsa Rekha V
• Shwetha A

Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica indica) of Family Sciuridae, subfamily Ratufinae is a endemic subspecies distributed in moist and dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats of Karnataka currently categorised under Least concerned category of IUCN Red List, Appendix II of CITES and protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 with its population decreasing constantly. The animal being completely arboreal, upper canopy dwelling species, rarely visits grounds to overcome canopy breaks and completes its entire lifecycle on trees hence tree species diversity of the forest plays a crucial role in conservation of the animal in its habitat. The present study focuses on understanding habitat structure and population of the animal in Umblebyle Range Forest and population of the animal which was carried out using line transect methodology recording a total of 77 tree species were recorded in the study area belonging to 22 families. The density of the animal was recorded to be 2.32 ± 0.24 and 2.46 ± 0.51 individuals / km2 in the year 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Ratufa indica indica, Oriental Giant Squirrels, Habitat structure, Population studies. Umblebyle Range Forest.

"Habitat structure, Population studies of Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica indica) in Umblebyle range forest, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no.b636-b645, May-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305184.pdf

"Habitat structure, Population studies of Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica indica) in Umblebyle range forest, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no. ppb636-b645, May-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305184.pdf