Indian Palm Squirrel

[Ripley]

Hello All,

Has or does, anyone own these squirrels? If so,what are they like to look after?

Cheers,
Ripley

[Tintola]

I also wear the "Squirrel" hat. (Private joke) I had them when I was a teenager (Caught them out the back of Taronga Zoo) and I had them again about 10 yrs ago. They are very skittish and run to their nest boxes whenever they see you. Easy enough to keep as long as they have a sunny aviary. (For want of a better word.) Are you thinking of getting some?

[Nrg800]

I think private ones can only be kept if they're desexed and cost. They cost a lot. I've seen a pair in a pet shop once, but I'm not sure they would really be worth it.

[jusdeb]

Just in case Im not the only one clueless to what they look like

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/indian-palm-squirrel/

[Tintola]

Thanks Deb. I think Ripley has logged off for the night.

[jusdeb]

Thats OK I was curious myself . Kinda cute arent they /

[Canary]

I have seen them at 2 Pet shops in Sydney for sale from time to time.

[zebman]

Had a pair back in the seventies, didn't know they were still around, thought they were illegal these days.

[Pete Sara]

a feral population exists at perth zoo , which they seem to manage to keep under control and the surrrounding suburbs, I cant see why you would want to keep them, I would much prefer gliders or pygmy possums.... pete

[Tintola]

About 10 to 15 yrs ago the Ag dept granted an amnesty to any private person holding squirrels or primates and they gave us a "Non Indigenous Animal Keepers" number and charged $50 a year to keep them. You were not allowed to breed them, sell them or trade in any fashion. Correction,, you could sell them but they had to be de sexed and micro chipped.The licence was not transferable, and died when you did. Their aim was to eventually get them out of the private sector, because despite the fact that they had never strayed very far from the zoos from which they escaped (Sydney and Perth) they felt that they were going to be the new rabbit plague. All too hard really, which is why they formulated all these conditions! So, there are still a few people keeping them and I expect breeding them for the pet trade. At an exorbitant price, I might add. Mine eventually died out but they are still available if I want them. Sydney's Taronga Zoo now has a captive colony of about 30 or 40 which they keep in with Bleeding heart Pigeons and a few other birds. Hope that answers any questions.