Callosciurus notatus 145squirrel (C. caniceps), with an outer layer of twigs or coarse
leaves and an inner layer of shredded materials. From 1948
to 1952 in t he Ulu Gomba k Forest Reser ve, pregna nt fema les
were recorded in every month, most frequently in April–
June (20%) and least often in October–December (8%). Litter
size was one to four, with a mean of 2.2 young (n = 23 litters).
In the Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, the squirrels react to
terrestrial predators with a repeated staccato bark and tail
fl icking, which causes conspecifi c squirrels to run up a tree
and be silent. C. nigrovittatus responds to an aerial predator
with a soft “chuckle” if not immediately threatened, and
with a “rattle” sound if it is a close encounter. Nearby squir-
rels react by freezing in position, and perhaps by joining in
the “rattle” call. In response to snakes, the squirrels give a
“squeak” call, which causes other squirrels, sometimes of
three diff erent species, to join in mobbing the snake.
general references: Lundahl and Olsson 2002; Medway
1969; G. S. Miller 1900, 1903, 1942; J. B. Payne 1980; H. C.
Robinson and Wroughton 1911; Saiful et al. 2001; Tamura
and Yong 1993.
Callosciurus notatus (Boddaert, 1785)
Plantain Squirrel
description: This is a red-bellied squirrel, with the ventral
pelage always orange or reddish to deep chestnut, two side
stripes of white over black, and the dorsal pelage and tail
brown.
size: Female—HB 237.8 mm (n = 25); T 175.0 mm (n = 25);
Mass 227.9 g (n = 18).
Male—HB 233.6 mm (n = 26); T 186.5 mm (n = 26); Mass
233.9 g (n = 17).
Sex not stated—HB 201.7 mm (n = 42); T 183.4 (n = 28);
Mass 219.4 g (n = 48).
distribution: This species is found in peninsular Thai-
land and peninsular Malaysia; Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Lom-
bok (Indonesia); and at elevations up to 1700 m on the island
of Borneo (divided among Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam,
and Indonesia). It is widespread on smaller islands of the
Sunda Shelf and on Salayer Island (south of Sulawesi [Indo-
nesia]), where it was probably introduced.
geographic variation: Six subspecies are recognized.
C. n. notatus—Java (Indonesia). This form has a slight suff u-
sion of buff on the abdomen.
C. n. albescens—restricted to North Sumatra (Indonesia).
This subspecies is a paler form and is sometimes consid-
ered a distinct species.
C. n. diardii—sout hern coast of Java ( Indonesia). This form is
buff in the ventral pelage and around the eye; it is darker
in the eastern part of the range.
C. n. miniatus—Malay Peninsula. This form has a gray venter
with a slight brown to dull orange brown tinge; the pale
fl ank stripe is narrow. The tip of the tail is reddish
brown, particularly in the western part of the range.
C. n. suff usus—island of Borneo (divided among Malaysia,
Brunei Darussalam, and Indonesia). This form resembles
the Malayan forms, but the ventral color is a darker
chestnut or maroon.
C. n. vittatus—Sumatra (Indonesia). This form resembles C.
n. miniatus, but the venter is usually orange brown, with
no red coloration in the tail tip.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—increasing.habitat: C. notatus is the common arboreal squirrel of gar-
dens, plantations, secondary forests, and fringe habitats. It
is usually rare or absent in tall dipterocarp forests, but com-
mon in mangrove and swamp forests, and it can survive in
monoculture plantations. The plantain squirrel is one of the
generalist species dominating the mammalian fauna in a de-
graded peat swamp forest in Selangor (Malaysia), and it is
one of the commonest species in areas disturbed by humans
in the Krau Wildlife Reserve (Pahang, Malaysia). In four 1.1