Squirrels of the World

160 Exilisciurus exilis

distribution: This species is found on Banggi Island (Ma-
laysia, slightly north of the island of Borneo) and on the is-
land of Borneo (divided among Malaysia, Brunei Darus-
salam, and Indonesia).

geographic variation: Two subspecies are provisionally
recognized.

E. e. exilis—island of Borneo (divided among Malaysia, Bru-
nei Darussalam, and Indonesia). See description above.
E. e. retectus—Banggi Island (Malaysia). This form is less
richly colored dorsally and more cream colored ven-
trally.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population
trend—no information.

habitat: This species is found in dipterocarp forests,
mostly at low elevations but as high as 1700 m in Sarawak. It
is also known to survive well in old logged forests.

natural history: These squirrels are frequently seen on
the trunks of midstory trees, sometimes 12 m or more above
the ground. They forage on tree trunks, and less frequently
on v ines or t he but t resses of la rger t rees, where t hey feed on
vegetable matter and small insects (small ants were found in
the stomachs of three individuals). The nest was reported
to be small and globular, 1 m above the ground, among the
roots of a fallen tree. Females have a postpartum estrus and
can be both pregnant and lactating at the same time.

general references: D. D. Davis 1962; Heaney 1985; J. B.
Payne 1980.

Exilisciurus whiteheadi (Thomas, 1887)

Tufted Pygmy Squirrel

description: This species is intermediate in size between

the other two species of Exilisciurus. The dorsal pelage is

dark brown, and the ventral pelage is paler. The ears are

tufted with long white hairs.

size: Female—HB 84.9 mm (n = 11); T 65.3 mm (n = 10); Mass

24.0 g (n = 2).

Male—HB 86.5 mm (n = 11); T 63.2 mm (n = 11); Mass 21.1 g

(n = 4).

Sex not stated—HB 88.0 mm (n = 2); T 69.0 mm (n = 2);

Mass 22.1 g (n = 6).

distribution: This species is found on the island of Bor-

neo, distributed at elevations between 900 and 3000 m

through the mountains of Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia)

and Brunei Darussalam, and in adjacent parts of West Kali-

mantan (Indonesia).

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population

trend—stable.

habitat: This squirrel occurs in dipterocarp and lower

montane forests.

Exilisciurus exilis. Photo courtesy Pitchaya and Rattapon
Kaichid.

http://www.ebook3000.com