Exotic timber plantations as nesting sites for the endemic Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica in the Palani Hills, Western Ghats, India

Exotic timber plantations have expanded in the montane habitats of the Western Ghats in the last century, often replacing the natural grassland-rainforest mosaic. This has inadvertently increased tree connectivity across the landscape, affecting arboreal mammals in varied ways. Here we document that the endemic Ratufa indica nests in exotic timber plantations in the Palani Hills, a previously unobserved behaviour. An extensive survey of timber plantations revealed a total of 70 nests, with 73% of the nests found on exotic Eucalyptus trees. An investigation of the landscape and environmental factors that were associated with the choice of nesting locations revealed that nesting sites were significantly closer to rainforest patches and away from human disturbances like agriculture. Squirrels also nested more on east-facing slopes with higher precipitation and lower mean temperatures. We report for the first time that Ratufa indica exhibits behavioural flexibility with respect to nesting, an essential behaviour required for survival. Such flexibility can play a pivotal role in allowing populations to persist in novel modified habitats. We suggest that policymakers and managers proceed with caution while clearing plantations in an attempt to restore native vegetation.