# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/b4e9b2d3-4c16-47b9-af24-a86d8a055e85
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/45952
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callosciurus erythraeus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/70648611/medium.jpg (Rejoice Gassah, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.