Squirrels of the World

Callosciurus fi nlaysonii 139

and Japanese pine seeds (Pinus thunbergii). In total, they eat
36 species of plants there: mainly camellia blossoms in Janu-
ary–March, leaves in April and May, and fruits (mostly
seeds) in June–December. In addition, they consume the
bark of 23 plant species, eat insects (mostly ants and cica-
das), and drink water that accumulates in knotholes. In
Ch i na , t hey have a l so been repor ted to feed on bi rd eg g s a nd
fl edglings. In Malaysia, the stomach contents of three ani-
mals included a signifi cant proportion of insects, as well as
starchy vegetable matter. In Kamakura City (Japan), where
they have been introduced and are now common, both males
and females have overlapping home ranges, with fewer fe-
males overlapping with other females (2.3 in winter–spring,
1.6 in autumn–winter) than males overlapping with other
males (12.6 in winter–spring, 8.7 in autumn–winter). Male
home ranges were 2.6 ha in the winter–spring season and 1.2
ha in the autumn–winter season. Female home ranges were
0.7 ha and 0.5 ha in the same two seasons.
Nests in Malaysia were constructed of leafy green twigs
among the outer branches of tall trees. In a more detailed
study of nests on Tomogashima Island (Japan), the nests
were described as being built in three layers—an outer layer
of interwoven leafy twigs, a middle layer of twigs, and an
inner layer of leaves and shredded material (e.g., the inner
layer of bark). Nests were built predominantly by adult fe-
male squirrels. Subterranean nests were used in the winter
on Tomogashima Island (Japan), and in Bhutan the squirrels
were suspected of nesting in holes between the roots of
trees, because they came down to the ground in the evening
and when t hey were a larmed. In Kama kura Cit y ( Japan), t he
squirrels have antipredator calls for terrestrial predators,
aerial predators, and snakes, each of which elicits appropri-
ate responses from other squirrels. The males also have pre-
copulatory calls and postcopulatory calls. The latter mimic
the terrestrial predator call. Mating bouts start early in the
morning and last for many hours. The most dominant male
chases other males away and then mates with the female,
after which he guards the female for an average of 33 min-
utes by giving the postcopulatory call, causing nearby males
and the female to adopt their immobile antipredator re-
sponse. The female subsequently mates with another male,
mating 4–11 times in all during her estrus. Although not
specifi ed in the study, the assumption is that these other
males also give a postcopulatory call. Mating bouts occur
throughout the year, and the average litter size at weaning
is 1.4 individuals.

general references: Bertolino 2009; Corbet and Hill
1992; Guichón et al. 2005; Men et al. 2006; Oshida, Lee, et al.
2006; Setoguchi 1990, 1991; Shankar-Raman et al. 1995;
Tamura 1995; Tamura et al. 1988.

Callosciurus fi nlaysonii (Horsfi eld, 1823)

Finlayson’s Squirrel

description: This is also a quite variable species, diff ering

both within and between subspecies; it ranges from all

white, to all red, to all black. There may be more than one

species included under this name.

size: Female—HB 191.8 mm (n = 13); T 172.8 mm (n = 13).

Male—HB 190.1 mm (n = 14); T 173.4 mm (n = 14).

Sex not stated—HB 212.1 mm (n = 76); T 222.0 mm (n = 73);

Mass 278.0 g (n = 2).

distribution: This species is found in southcentral Myan-

mar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It was intro-

duced into Italy and Singapore.

geographic variation:

Insular forms include the following seven subspecies.

C. f. fi nlaysonii—Koh (= island) Si Chang (Thailand). This

form is all white, with a yellow tinge on the back.

C. f. albivexilli—Koh Kut (Thailand). This form has a black

tail with a white tip.

C. f. folletti—Koh Phai (Thailand). This form is grayish

white.