Download Prevost`s Squirrel

Prevost’s Squirrel
Callosciurus prevostii
Fact Sheet
Status: Common
Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo Sumatra, Java and many small
islands in the East Indies.
Habitat: Lowland and mountain forests, cultivated areas and gardens
Diet: Fruits, nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, insects and bird eggs
Length: Head and body 127-280 mm, tail length is generally 76-254mm
Weight: 150-500 grams
Reproduction: Peak breeding season is June through August. Litters can
include up to four young. The female can produce up to 3 litters per year, with a
gestation period of 40 days per litter. The young are born hairless and take up to
18 months to mature, though they leave the nest after 6 weeks.
Longevity: Up to 16 years in captivity.
General Description: One of the most beautiful squirrels in the world these
tricolor rodents have thick glossy fur with black on the back and top of the head,
white on the sides and reddish brown undersides.
Behavior: They live in hollow trees building large nests of twigs and leaves.
They make several vocalizations including harsh alarm calls and birdlike sounds
Did you know? The genus name, Callosciurus, means "beautiful squirrel."
Where can you find them? All across their range including cultivated areas and
gardens
4001 E. Paisano Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905, Phone: 915-521-1850, Fax: 915-521-1857,
e-mail:[email protected], www.elpasozoo.org.
Some of Reproduction from: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/fact-prevost.cfm
and http://www.hoglezoo.org/animals/view.php?id=184
Prevost's Squirrel
Credit: Karen Marzynski
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Sub Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Callosciurus
Species: prevosti
Habitat:
Prevost’s squirrels are found in the canopy of lowland forests and in cultivated
areas and gardens of Southeast Asia
Location of Exhibit
Adaptation of Animals
Characteristics:
Length of head and body: 11 inches; Length of tail: 6-9 inches; Weight: about 2
pounds.
The Prevost’s squirrel’s tail, head, and back are glossy black. Its belly and legs
are bright chestnut red. A white band extends along the sides from the nose to
the base of the tail.
Their teeth consist of a single pair of chisel-shaped incisors in each jaw which
are separated by a large gap is in the front of the premolars due to an absence of
canine teeth. The incisors grow continuously and are worn back by use. The
lower jaw is quite movable.
Squirrels have short forelimbs with a small thumb and longer hind limbs. The
soles of their feet are soft pads. They have small ears. Their large protruding
eyes with sharp vision are specialized for distinguishing vertical objects.
Lifespan:
In Captivity: 15 years
In The Wild: 10 years
Behaviors:
The Prevost’s squirrel is arboreal (lives in trees). It is diurnal (active during the
day), and at night rests in hollows of trees or nests built of leaves and twigs. This
squirrel does not hibernate.
They are the most agile of the tree dwelling mammals and excellent at climbing
and jumping. Their toes are well adapted with sharp claws for clinging to tree
trunks and they are able to jump considerable distances between trees.
When upset or excited, they trill and also have an ear-piercing whistle which may
be used for locating or warning other squirrels. The tail, used as a flag to
communicate social signals, also serves as a balance when running and climbing
and as a rudder when it jumps. It wraps its tail around itself when sleeping.
On the ground the squirrel moves in a sequence of graceful leaps, pausing to
raise its head and look around. When it eats, it squats on its haunches holding
the food between its front paws.
Enrichments at the Zoo: food in balls, paper bags, and tubes to encourage
foraging for food.
Reproduction:
Prevost’s squirrels reach sexual maturity at about 1 year of age.
Breeding can occur throughout the year, but peaks in June through August. They
can have up to 3 litters each year, with 1-4 young per litter. The gestation period
is about 40 days.
Infant squirrels are born naked, toothless, and helpless with their eyes closed.
They weigh about 0.4 ounces at birth. By 6 weeks of age, they are fully furred
and independent enough to be able to leave the nest.
Diet:
In Captivity: Mixed fruit, rat pellets, sunflower seeds, peanuts, other nuts
In The Wild: Fruits, nuts, seeds, buds of flowers, vegetable matter, ants, termites,
beetle larvae, bird eggs, small reptiles
Conservation Status:
IUCN status: not listed; CITES Appendix: not listed
The Prevost’s squirrel is not currently endangered but is considered vulnerable
by some due to habitat destruction and over exploitation; some are taken for the
pet trade.
Predators: birds of prey, small carnivores, snakes.
Did You Know:
The genus name Callosciurus means “beautiful squirrel.”
It is also known as the “Ornamental, Beautiful, or Tri-colored Squirrel.”
The Prevost’s squirrel is one of the most colorful of all squirrels.
There are 25 Malaysian species of squirrels, 11 being nocturnal (active at night)
and 14 diurnal (active during the day).
Sources:
Honolulu Zoo, (n.d.). Prevost's squirrel. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2005, from Honolulu
Zoo Web site: http://www.honoluluzoo.org
Houston Zoo, Inc., (2005). Our world of animals: mammals - prevost's squirrel.
Retrieved Oct. 03, 2005, from Houston Zoo Web site: http://www.houstonzoo.org
Oakland Zoo, (2003). Animals a-z: prevost's squirrel. Retrieved Oct. 03, 2005,
from Oakland Zoo Web site: http://www.oaklandzoo.org
Smithsonian National Zoological Park, (n.d.). Small mammals: prevost's squirrel.
Retrieved Oct. 03, 2005, from Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Friends of
the National Zoo Web site: http://nationalzoo.si.edu
Utah's Hogle Zoo, (2004). Animals: prevost's squirrel. Retrieved Oct. 03, 2005,
from Utah's Hogle Zoo Web site: http://www.hoglezoo.org
From: http://rosamondgiffordzoo.org/animals_gallery.asp?id=79