Squirrels of the World

Funambulus layardi 161

natural history: E. whiteheadi is a bark gleaner, feeding

on moss and lichens, and it is often seen on tree trunks

(from the buttress to the canopy).

general references: Conaway 1968; D. D. Davis 1958,

1962; Heaney 1985; Moore 1958a.

Exilisciurus whiteheadi. Photo courtesy John C. Mittermeier.

Funambulus Lesson, 1835

The genus Funambulus includes fi ve species of striped squir-
rels that occur in India and Sri Lanka. Some are conspicuous
and familiar inhabitants of urban and suburban regions. All

of these species are omnivorous, feeding mostly on vegeta-

ble matter, but willing to feed on various kinds of animal

material when they have the opportunity.

Funambulus layardi (Blyth, 1849)

Layard’s Palm Squirrel

description: F. layardi is the most colorful member of the
genus. It has three longitudinal stripes on its back, with the

mid-dorsal stripe, and sometimes the lateral stripes, brightly

colored orange yellow. Ventrally it is a richly colored chest-

nut, yellow orange, or russet; and the tail has a red midven-

tral line.

size: Female—HB 154.0 mm (n = 12); Mass 168.0 g (n = 4).

Male—HB 144.0 mm (n = 2); T 158.0 mm (n = 2).

Sex not stated—HB 146.1 mm (n = 1); T 177.8 mm (n = 1).

distribution: This species is found in south and central

Sri Lanka.

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—vulnerable. Population

trend—decreasing.

habitat: Layard’s palm squirrel prefers evergreen

rainforests.

natural history: No information is available.

general references: de A. Goonatilake et al. 2008.