
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3
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Order : RODENTIA
Family : Sciuridae
Species : Tamiops macclellandi
Head-Body Length :
11 cm
Tail Length : 11 cm
Weight : unknown The Himalayan
Striped Squirrel, also known as the Western or Burmese Striped Squirrel, is
mainly a species of montane, forested areas above 700
metres elevation, though in some parts of Myanmar and Thailand it is reported as being
found at lower elevations. 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. 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 Myanmar and southern China
to Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. In the east of its range, in parts of
eastern Thailand, the species coexists with the
Cambodian Striped Squirrel.
Figs 1 to 3 : Three specimens from lower montane
forest at Fraser's Hill, Peninsular
Malaysia.
References :
Lekagul, B., McNeely, J., 1977. Mammals of Thailand. Association for the
Conservation of Wildlife, Thailand. 758 pp.
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