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Text and photos by
Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2010
Copyright ©

 
 
   

 

 
   
Himalayan Striped Squirrel
   

Photographed at Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia at an elevation of around 900 metres.
 


Order : RODENTIA
Family : Sciuridae
Species : Tamiops macclellandi

Head-Body Length : 11 cm
Tail Length : 11 cm
Weight : unknown

References : M3

The Himalayan, or Burmese, Striped Squirrel is largely a species of montane, forested areas above 700 metres elevation, though in some parts of Burma it is reported as being found at much lower altitudes. It is almost exclusively arboreal in habits, preferring tall forests, fruit trees and coconut palms.

The species is small in size, and quick in habits : it can easily be overlooked as it frantically moves from tree to tree searching for their food source - mainly insects. The striped pattern serves as an effective camouflage on fissured tree trunks.
   
 
 

Searching a tree trunk for insects.
 

The thickness and length of the alternating cream and dark brown dorsal stripes is the key identifying feature, and is diagnostic in distinguishing it from other, larger striped squirrels. In this species the stripes are thick and bold and run from near the eye to the base of the tail, which is narrow and short-haired.

The species ranges from the Himalayas through northern Burma and southern China to Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.