Wildlifeof Vietnam
Pallas's Squirrel
Squirrels & Flying Squirrels
Photo: (c) Wang.QG, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Callosciurus erythraeus
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
A wide range of foods, varying by region; some insects and occasional bird eggs
Habitat
Forest below about 3,000m: evergreen, deciduous broadleaf and subalpine conifer
Range
Far eastern India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and China
Litter size
Up to 4 young, typically 2
Gestation period
47–49 days
Size
Head and body 16–28cm; tail 11–26cm
Weight
310–460g
Pallas's squirrel, or the red-bellied tree squirrel, is a medium-sized tree squirrel with a head and body length of 16–28 cm, a tail of 11–26 cm, and a weight of 310–460 g. The pelt colour varies a lot between subspecies but is generally brownish on the upper body with a more reddish tint on the belly, and often some black on the tail. Both sexes look alike (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is found throughout much of south-eastern Asia in forest below about 3,000 m. It eats a wide range of foods that differ across its range, plus a few insects and the occasional bird's egg. It breeds throughout the year and may mate again as soon as a litter is weaned. Gestation is 47–49 days, with up to four young, two being typical, which leave the nest at 40–50 days and mature at a year.
Quick answers
- What does the Pallas's Squirrel eat?
- A wide range of foods, varying by region; some insects and occasional bird eggs
- What habitat does the Pallas's Squirrel live in?
- Forest below about 3,000m: evergreen, deciduous broadleaf and subalpine conifer
- Where is the Pallas's Squirrel found?
- Far eastern India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and China
- What is the litter size of the Pallas's Squirrel?
- Up to 4 young, typically 2
- How long is the gestation period of the Pallas's Squirrel?
- 47–49 days
- How big is the Pallas's Squirrel?
- Head and body 16–28cm; tail 11–26cm
- How much does the Pallas's Squirrel weigh?
- 310–460g