Pallas's Squirrel

About this species

Size

Head and body 16–28cm; tail 11–26cm

Weight

310–460g

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

47–49 days

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, including far eastern India and Bhutan, 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 (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of India guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)