[7] As suggested by its name, the cream-coloured giant squirrel is typically overall cream to very light orangish-brown, while the underparts are whitish-cream.

[5][7] In Borneo and nearby small islands where it is the only Ratufa giant squirrel, some populations resemble cream-coloured giant squirrels from elsewhere, but most have upperparts that are medium-dark grey, sometimes almost black (contrasting strongly with the whitish-cream underparts), the flanks and thighs can have a reddish-buff tinge and the cheeks are orangish.

[6][7] The cream-coloured giant squirrel makes its home in lower montane and secondary forests, frequenting dipterocarp trees.

Although this squirrel primarily inhabits the upper canopy of the forest, it will at times come to ground to find food, or to cross gaps in the trees.

The main dietary habits of Ratufa affinis are seeds, which it supplements with leaves, fruits, nuts, bark, insects, and eggs.