Identification Characteristics:
This squirrel species is small in size.
- Body Length: 205 – 246 mm
- Tail Length: 95 – 117 mm
- Hind Foot Length: 28 – 32 mm
- Ear Height: 15 – 17 mm
- Weight: 40 – 60 g
- Skull Length: 33 – 35 mm
- Zygomatic Width: 19 – 21 mm
The ears of this small squirrel have tufts of hair, with white tips. The back is dark brown and buff-colored, featuring two rust-brown stripes (outer and inner) on each side of the back, and a black stripe down the middle of the back. The inner and outer stripes are of equal length. White rings around the eyes are very distinct. The belly is pale white with gray hairs that have white tips. The tail hairs are long, orange at the base, black in the middle, and white at the tips.
Biology and Ecology:
The Hainan squirrel (likely referring to Tamiops rodolphii) inhabits primary and secondary forests, is diurnal, and is very adept at climbing. It occasionally forages on the ground. This species can coexist with the red-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) and Callosciurus inornatus. Its diet consists of fruits from some plants and insects found within its distribution.
Distribution:
Vietnam: Kontum, Đồng Nai (Cat Tien National Park), Lâm Đồng, Đắc Lắc.
Global: Thailand, Cambodia.
Notes:
The Tamiops species found in Cat Tien National Park (Đồng Nai) is likely Tamiops rodolphii.