Plantain Squirrel: More on its food

on 13th October 2014

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.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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