Species: indian palm squirrel

The Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), also known as the three-striped palm squirrel, is a species of squirrel native to India and Sri Lanka and has also been introduced to several Indian Ocean islands as well as Australia where it is considered a pest. They are easily tamed and trainable to take food from humans.

To Hindus, palm squirrels are sacred and not to be harmed. According to legend, when the Rama Setu bridge at Rameswaram was under construction by Lord Rama and the Vanara Sena monkey army, a little palm squirrel also helped by rolling in the beach sand, then ran to the end of the bridge to shake off the sand. Pleased by the palm squirrel's help, Lord Rama stroked the squirrel's back, leaving white stripes in its fur, the marks of the diety's fingers.

Tagging: Although related to both tree squirrels and ground squirrels, they are actually neither, being classed as Asian ornate squirrels.