Prevost's Squirrel

The Prevost's squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel, but one of the larger species in its range, although clearly surpassed by the giant squirrels and giant flying squirrels of the region. The head-and-body of the Prevost's squirrel typically is 20–27 cm (8–11 in) long and the tail length is about the same; it weighs 250–500 g (9–18 oz). Individuals from small islands tend to be smaller in size than those from medium-small islands, but on large islands this pattern is reversed.

In general, the subspecies of the Prevost's squirrel have been described based on their colour patterns. While there are significant geographical variations, there are also some individual variations within each region. The underparts are always reddish-orange to rich rufous. The typical form, including the subspecies of the Thai-Malay Peninsula (C. p. prevostii and others), is among the most colourful mammals in the world with its black upperparts and tail, reddish-orange underparts, whitish thighs and flanks, and grey to grey-white cheeks. Some subspecies from elsewhere are quite similar, like the grey-cheeked C. p. rafflesii of southern Sumatra and black-cheeked C. p. melanops of eastern Sumatra, as well as those from southwestern Borneo. …

The Prevost's squirrel is active during the day and mostly stays in trees, only occasionally moving on the ground. The 1–3 young are born after a gestation that lasts around seven weeks. The nest is made of sticks, bark and grass.

Feeding. This squirrel eats fruits, nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, insects and bird eggs. They have been observed feeding on durians such as Durio graveolens. These squirrels carry the fruits far from the tree and drop the seeds when finished with their meal. This seed distribution away from the parent plant increases survival for the fruiting plant species.

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