Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two

The question tests knowledge about the behavioral ecology of Indian squirrels. Out of the three statements, two are correct (statements 2 and 3), while statement 1 is incorrect as Indian squirrels are primarily arboreal and build tree nests rather than ground burrows.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Indian squirrels like the Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus) and Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) are arboreal species that build nests (dreys) in tree branches, hollows, or crevices using twigs and leaves, not ground burrows.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Indian squirrels exhibit scatter hoarding behavior, burying nuts and seeds in shallow ground locations for later retrieval, which also aids in seed dispersal and forest regeneration.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores; while their primary diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, and fungi, they also consume insects, caterpillars, bird eggs, and occasionally small vertebrates.

📝 Short Notes: Indian Squirrels - Ecology & Behavior

• Common Species: Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), Three-striped Palm Squirrel (F. tristis), Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica), and Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura)
• Habitat: Predominantly arboreal (tree-dwelling); found in forests, urban parks, gardens, and agricultural landscapes
• Nesting: Build dreys (leaf and twig nests) in tree branches or use tree hollows; do not make ground burrows unlike ground squirrels found in other regions
• Food Storage: Practice scatter hoarding - bury food items in multiple scattered locations rather than one central cache; excellent spatial memory for retrieval
• Diet: Omnivorous - primarily herbivorous (nuts, seeds, fruits, flowers, bark) but also consume insects, bird eggs, and occasionally small animals
• Ecological Role: Important seed dispersers for many tree species; forgotten caches germinate into new plants, aiding forest regeneration
• Conservation Status: Most species are Least Concern, but habitat specialists like the Malabar Giant Squirrel face threats from habitat fragmentation