Squirrels of the World

Callosciurus phayrei 147

size: Female—HB 154.0 mm (n = 5); T 139.8 mm (n = 5).
Male—HB 148.0 mm (n = 4); T 157.5 mm (n = 4).
Sex not stated—HB 153.1 mm (n = 7); T 154.2 (n = 5); Mass
278.0 g (n = 1).

distribution: C. orestes is found on the island of Borneo, at
middle elevations in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia) and in
Kalimantan (Indonesia).

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—stable.

habitat: This species appears to be restricted to lower
montane forests and possibly to upper dipterocarp forests.
It is an uncommon squirrel on the island of Borneo, mostly
found in the submontane primary forests of Sabah and
Sarawak (Malaysia) in the northwestern part of the island,
including in the Kelabit Highlands (at elevations above
1100 m), Mount Kinabalu (at 1100–1700 m), and Mount Dulit
(at 1200 m).

natural history: The Borneo black-ba nded squirrel is ac-
tive in small and medium-sized trees. Fruits and black ants
were found in the stomachs of two animals collected on
Mount Kinabalu (Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia).

general references: J. Payne and Francis 1985.

Callosciurus phayrei (Blyth, 1856)

Phayre’s Squirrel

description: The dorsal pelage is agouti gray, separated

from the ventral pelage by a lateral black stripe between the

forelimb and hind limb. The ventral pelage may be rich or-

ange to very pale orange, but not red or gray. The feet are

yellowish buff to pale orange; the tail has a midventral

bright yellow stripe, 12–15 mm wide, and is black tipped.

size: Female—HB 237.1 mm (n = 7); T 249.0 mm (n = 6); Mass

377.4 g (n = 6).

Callosciurus orestes. Photo courtesy Israel Didham.