
Typical territorial threat display, Central
Catchment Forest, Singapore.

Photographed at Macritchie Forest, Singapore.
Order : RODENTIA
Family : Sciuridae
Species : Sundasciurus tenuis
Head-Body Length : 13-16 cm
Tail Length : 12-13 cm
Weight :120-140 grams
References : M2 |
A small, charming species
the Slender Squirrel occurs in primary and tall secondary forests. It is
sometimes encountered in groups of up to ten making its way through the
forest, while squabbling and chasing each other. The nest is made of short
twigs and stems, and has been observed as low as a metre above the ground in
the crooks of trees.
The upperparts are brown
and the underparts light grey to whitish. There is a pale orange-brown area
around the eye, and often an orange-brown ear lobe. The ears are small. and
the tail long and slender. It feeds on soft tree bark, fruits and small
insects.
The species ranges from
Peninsular Malaysia to Borneo and Sumatra. In Singapore it occurs in the
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Forests, with a small,
isolated population in the Botanic Gardens.
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