In southern India, the arrival of monsoon rains signals the start of jackfruit season, with these enormous 10-kilogram fruits becoming a major attraction. However, jackfruits are only edible when ripe, and macaques often struggle to identify the perfect ones. Enter the Malabar squirrels, with their keen sense of smell that helps them locate the ripest jackfruits.

These squirrels, adept at sniffing out the best fruit, soon find themselves under the watchful eyes of macaques. The clever primates observe the squirrels closely, waiting for the right moment to swoop in and snatch the delicious fruit. The macaques use a clever strategy: they know that the squirrels won’t follow them down to the ground, so they take advantage of this by targeting the ripe fruits that the squirrels have located but left on the branches.

This fascinating interaction highlights the intricate dynamics of survival and resourcefulness in nature. While the squirrels lead the way to the tastiest jackfruits, the macaques use their cunning to gain access to these prized treats. It’s a lively game of strategy and opportunism in the lush landscapes of southern India.