Civet or Giant Squirrel from Java, Indonesia (1 Viewer)

[PeterHD]

Hi,

I need help to ID this tree-climbing mammal I saw in July in Alas Purwo National Park on Java, Indonesia.

Picture: Link here

I believe it is a civet er a Giant Squirrel. Or could it be something completely different? It was very high up and very fast. And quite big - I remember the body being at least 2 feet long and then the tail was as long as the body.

I have tried to study the literature for mammals native to Java which it could be:
Common Palm Civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Small-toothed Palm Civet, Arctogalidia trivirgata
Masked Palm Civet, Paguma larvata
Small Indian Civet, Viverricula indica
or
Black Giant Squirrel, Ratufa bicolor
Cream-coloured Giant Squirrel, Ratufa affinis (not sure it is free roaming on Java!)

I hope someone in here can help. Thanks a lot.
Best,
Peter

 

[MarkHows]

Looks like one of the giant squirrels, I have only seeen Malabar and it looks very similar so hopefully someone else can pin it down to species

Mark

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Definately a squirrel of some sort, and Ratufa looks a good bet (but don't know the species distinctions, sorry!

 

[Mike Richardson]

Out of your list I would go for Black Giant Squirrel. It's certainly a large squirrel species.

 

[Steve Babbs]

Unless the taxonomy has has changed since I was there, always possible as it was 1996, it's black giant squirrel, Ratufa bicolor. Some pale giant squirrels can be dark above, at least in Borneo - I'm not sure about Java, it may not be the case there as you don't get black in Borneo - but they still have pale feet.

 

[PeterHD]

Hi again - thanks a lot everyone.

I have checked out the Ratufa pictures I could find on the internet and I think Black Giant Squirrel (R. Bicolor) is the one that gets closest.

Again, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Best, Peter

PS. If there are other characteristics/confirmatory diagnostics/comments on this ID please tip in. Especially experience with similar sightings from Java/ neighboring islands

 

[Steve Babbs]

Hi again - thanks a lot everyone.

I have checked out the Ratufa pictures I could find on the internet and I think Black Giant Squirrel (R. Bicolor) is the one that gets closest.

Again, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Best, Peter

PS. If there are other characteristics/confirmatory diagnostics/comments on this ID please tip in. Especially experience with similar sightings from Java/ neighboring islands

There are two species of giant squirrel on Java, pale and black. Pale has pale feet, even when dark.

 

[PeterHD]

There are two species of giant squirrel on Java, pale and black. Pale has pale feet, even when dark.

Hi Steve - thanks for elaborating. Very good fieldmark which leaves no doubt. Best regards, Peter