So, I told you about the Rainbow Squirrel, which is the world's biggest. And, unfortunately, I do have to point out that the best pictures of them have the contrast up way high so that they're so strikingly colorful. I acknowledge that, but I still love how beautiful they are.
Now, I'm going to tell you about the squirrel with the largest tail, compared to it's body. The Tufted Ground Squirrel, Rheithrosciurus macrotis, is found in Borneo, and is also known as the vampire squirrel. It's tail is larger than it's body, and it's awesome. No one is really sure why it's got such a big tail, but there are a few theories that it's so that it's harder for a predator to grab them or something.
And because I know you're curious, it's known as the vampire squirrel because there are stories about this squirrel hanging out in lower branches and jumping down to rip open the throat of innocent deer to get at the blood. This has not been confirmed and may just be made up by the locals as a theory of something.
Not much is known about these furry creatures, but they're adorable. (And I might have added them to the long list of things that might kill me but I still want to pet.)
These pictures come from the article below from Popular Science.
If you want more pictures or are curious and want to know more, please look at the sources below. There isn't a lot more known right now, but still.
Sources:
Science Magazine- Vampire Squirrel
Business Insider- Video of a Vampire Squirrel
The Independent-- The World's Fluffiest Tail
Popular Science-- This Squirrel Breaks Record for Fluffiest Tail
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