Order : RODENTIA
Family : Sciuridae
Species : Menetes berdmorei

Head-Body Length : up to 18 cm
Tail Length : up to 13 cm

This relatively small ground squirrel mainly inhabits dry, open forests and secondary scrub. It is both terrestrial and arboreal.

Its overall fur colour is brown, which is typically more reddish brown on the back. There are two pale stripes on the flanks which extend from behind the front legs to above the hind legs: between these there is typically a broad, dark stripe (though this may be seasonally absent). In some subspecies there is an additional dark stripe running down the back. The underside is pale. The tail is relatively short.

Seven subspecies are recognised: shown here is an example of the subspecies Menetes berdmorei consularis from central Thailand.

The Indochinese Ground Squirrel occurs in southern China (Yunnan province), Myanmar, Thailand (including the deep south), Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It has not been recorded from Peninsular Malaysia.

Figs 1 and 2: Adult and juvenile Menetes berdmorei consularis from Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi province, Thailand.

Fig 3 : Adult example foraging on the ground.

All photos thanks to Charles Currin.


References :

Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.

Thorington Jr., R. W., Koprowski, J. L., Steele, M. A., Whatton, J. F. 2012. Squirrels of the World. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.