Squirrels of the World

Dremomys rufi genis 157

Male—HB 207.5 mm (n = 15); T 146.1 mm (n = 11).

Sex not stated—HB 198.8 mm (n = 11); T 151.5 mm (n = 11).

distribution: This species is found in central and south-
ern China, extreme northern Vietnam, and Hainan Island
(China).

geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.

D. p. pyrrhomerus—Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui,
Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian (south and central
China), and extreme northern Vietnam. This form has
conspicuous reddish patches on the thighs, but no red on
the head.
D. p. riudonensis—Hainan Island (China). This subspecies
also has conspicuous reddish hip patches, but its head is
completely red.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information.

habitat: This squirrel acts like a rock squirrel, living in
holes in rocky habitats and being almost completely
terrestrial.

natural history: D. pyrrhomerus is reported to be inac-
tive aboveground during the winter months.

general references: Moore and Tate 1965; A. T. Smith
and Xie 2008.

Dremomys rufi genis (Blanford, 1878)

Asian Red-Cheeked Squirrel

description: This species is distinguished by its reddish

cheeks, a rich red coloration in the anal area and on the un-

derside of the tail, the lack of red thigh patches, and the lack

of a reddish throat. Its dorsal pelage is dull olive gray agouti,

and the ventral pelage is grayish white.

size: Female—HB 187.1 mm (n = 37); T 149.4 mm (n = 36);

Mass 198.3 g (n = 9).

Male—HB 191.3 mm (n = 42); T 144.9 mm (n = 31); Mass

190.4 g (n = 9).

Sex not stated—HB 199.6 mm (n = 4); T 159.3 mm (n = 3);

Mass 240.0 g (n = 2).

distribution: This species is found in northeastern India;

Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, and Anhui (China); northern and

central Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and south through Thai-

land into peninsular Malaysia.

geographic variation: We tentatively recognize fi ve

subspecies.

D. r. rufi genis—southwestern Yunnan (China), central Myan-

mar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. This form is dull olive

gray agouti above, with buff or whitish ear patches.

Dremomys pyrrhomerus. Photo courtesy Wang Tian Ye.