Indian palm squirrel is commonly found in all over India and Sri-Lanka Unlike other squirrels, the Indian Palm Squirrel do not hibernate during winter. Preferred habitats include, dry forests, rainforests, scrub, urban areas, parks and gardens and grasslands. Three-striped and five-striped palm squirrels are well suited to urban areas, plantations and open rural areas. These squirrels eat mainly nuts and fruits.

The Indian palm squirrel is about the size of a large chipmunk, with a bushy tail slightly shorter than its body. The back is a grizzled, gray-brown color with three conspicuous white stripes which run from head to tail. The two outer stripes run from the forelegs to the hind legs only. It has a creamy-white belly and a tail covered with interspersed, long, black and white hair. The ears are small and triangular. Juvenile squirrels have significantly lighter coloration, which gets progressively darker as they age. Life expectancy is 18 months (wild) to 6 years (captivity)

The gestation period is 34 days; breeding takes place in grass nests during the autumn. Litters of two or three are common. The young are weaned after about 10 weeks and are sexually mature at 9 months. Indian palm squirrel were recently introduced to West Australia accidentally where they are treated as minor pest.