Squirrels of the World

Tamiops maritimus 195

natural history: Slender squirrels are diurnal, and they
are active mainly in small trees. Their diet includes the in-
ner bark and insects from tree trunks, and fruits and seeds.

general references: Medway 1977; J. B. Payne 1980.

Tamiops J. A. Allen, 1906

The four species in this genus are the small striped tree
squirrels of Indochina, China, and peninsular Malaysia.
They contrast with the species of Funambulus in having

smaller rounded ears, frequently tipped with white, as well

as a black longitudinal mid-dorsal stripe paralleled by two

pairs of pale stripes that are separated by a darker stripe.

Tamiops maritimus (Bonhote, 1900)

Maritime Striped Squirrel

description: This species is more olivaceous than other
species of Tamiops, with the pale line on each side of the mid-
dorsal stripe more similar to the color of the nape. The ven-
ter is buff y.

size: Female—HB 121.2 mm; T 101.8 mm; Mass 56.5 g.
Male—HB 119.5 mm; T 101.1 mm; Mass 54.5 g.
Sex not stated—HB 122.9 mm; T 100.1 mm.

distribution: This squirrel is found in Hubei east to An-
hui and Zhejiang, and south through Yunnan, Guangxi,
Guang dong, and Hainan (China) to Laos, Vietnam, and
Cambodia, as well as in Taiwan.

geographic variation: Four subspecies are recognized.

T. m. maritimus—Taiwan and coastal China. This form is

grayer and of a more uniform coloration than T. mcclel-

landii; the mid-dorsal stripe is shorter and less distinct;

and the dull white lateral stripes are narrow and short.

T. m. hainanus—Laos, Vietnam, and Hainan (China). This

form is similar to T. m. maritimus, but slightly larger.

T. m. moi—southern Vietnam. This form is similar to T. m.

hainanus, but it is claimed to be a bit larger, with slightly

redder stripes lateral to the mid-dorsal stripe.

T. m. monticolus—montane areas west of the range of T. m.

maritimus. This form has a distinct mid-dorsal stripe that

extends to the base of the tail; and two lateral pale stripes

that are broad, distinct, and also continue to the base the

tail.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population

trend—stable.

Tamiops maritimus. Photo courtesy James Eaton / Birdtour Asia.