Pallas' Squirrel
Callosciurus erythraeus
They are nicknamed 'beautiful squirrels' and are known to strip bark from trees specifically to feed on the sugary sap flowing beneath.
- Scientific name
- Callosciurus erythraeus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Callosciurus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Primary and secondary subtropical forests, gardens, and fruit plantations.
- Diet
- Omnivorous; feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, bird eggs, and tree bark.
- Range
- China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, France, Argentina
- Size
- Head-body length of 16-28 cm with a tail of nearly equal length.
- Lifespan
- 3 to 7 years in the wild; up to 15 years in captivity.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation and hunting in some native ranges; considered an invasive pest in introduced regions.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Maintain a safe distance of 2-3 meters. Do not attempt to touch or hand-feed, as they may bite if startled. If bitten or scratched, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice for potential zoonotic risks.
Pallas's squirrel ( Callosciurus erythraeus ), also known as the red-bellied tree squirrel , is a species of squirrel native to Greater China, India, and Southeast Asia.
Photo: Rejoice Gassah, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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