Squirrels of the World

Trogopterus xanthipes 133

distribution: T. xanthipes is found in central China, from

Yunnan in the south to Liaoning in the east. This species

occupies a few small areas to the west, east, and northeast

of its central contiguous range.

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—near threatened. Population

trend—declining.

habitat: The complex-toothed squirrel is found in mon-

tane temperate forests of oak (Quercus) and pine (Pinus), at

elevations between 1360 and 2750 m. It is often associated

with rocky cliff s and caves.

natural history: This nocturnal species is reported to

feed on oak leaves and nest in caves. Litter size varies from

one to four, and gestation is reported to last between 78 and

89 days. Lactation is estimated to take 105 days. Nothing is

known about its population biology, although this species

is considered to be declining, due to habitat loss, logging,

hunting, and removal for medicinal purposes. T. xanthipes is

maintained in captivity because its dung is important in tra-

ditional Chinese medicine, the physiological basis of which

has been explored.

general references: Amori and Gippoliti 2003; Hayssen

2008a; Hayssen et al. 1993; Jeong et al. 2000; Kirk et al. 2008;

Lee and Liao 1998; Scheibe et al. 2007; A. T. Smith and John-

ston 2008f; R. W. Thorington and Darrow 2000; R. W. Thor-

ington, Pitassy, et al. 2002; R. W. Thorington and Santana

2007; F. Wang 1985; Xiang et al. 2004.

Trogopterus xanthipes. Photo courtesy Brad Schram, Arroyo
Grande, California.