The Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) is omnivorous. It eats a wide array of plants (leaves, stems, flowers and fruits). An earlier post reports it eating the fruits of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) and seram palm (Rhopaloblaste ceramica) as well as figs LINK. Nectar and insects like cicada have also been reported eaten LINK.
The squirrel also eats birdling like that of the common Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) LINK and possibly also that of the Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) LINK.
In my garden the pair of squirrels have now been observed to eat the inflorescence of the Scarlet Spiral Flag (Costus woodsonii) (above), possibly for the flower nectar – sunbirds love to visit the flowers for their nectar LINK.
The succulent fruits of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) also provide food for the Plantain Squirrel (above).
The above image shows the squirrel eating the Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) and below the Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum).
The squirrels also sneak into the house to feast on papayas and bananas.
It also eats the leaf of the Banjamin Fig, Ficus benjamina (above).
YC Wee
Singapore
September 2014
NOTE: I am not sure whether the image of the squirrel eating rambutan is mine or someone else. If not mine, will the owner please let me know – and my apologies.