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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