Plantain Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. Plantain Squirrels travel and feed mainly in small trees. In lowland dipterocarp forests in Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve (Selangor, Malaysia), they are most active in the early morning, with activity tapering off by 10: 00 h, then increasing again from 16: 00 - 18: 00 h. They appear to avoid the ground, are most frequently observed at heights between 6 - 10 m, and are seldom seen above 20 m in the trees. In Krau Wildlife Reserve, this species moves about from ground level to 24 m, but it is most commonly seen between 6 — 12 m.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Mangrove and swamp forests, gardens, plantations, secondary forests, and fringe habitats. The Plantain Squirrelis usually rare or absent in tall dipterocarp forests; it can survive in monoculture plantations. It is one of the generalist species dominating the mammalian fauna in a degraded peat swamp forest in Selangor (Malaysia), and it is one of the commonest species in areas disturbed by humans in the Krau Wildlife Reserve (Pahang, Malaysia).

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Population density of the Plantain Squirrel is 5 - 3 ind / km? in Ulu Mudah Forest Reserve (Kedah, Malaysia) and 8 - 1 ind / km? in Kayan Mentarang National Park (East Kalimantan, Borneo), but 244 ind / km? in Krau Wildlife Reserve (Pahang, Malaysia). Home ranges differ between males and females: 0 - 7 ha in males, with extensive overlaps between males and between males and females; and 1 - 8 ha in females, with no overlap between them, in Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve. The Plantain Squirrel responds to terrestrial predators with a repeated staccato bark and tail flicking, to which other conspecific squirrels react by climbing upward and remaining quiet. Response to an aerial predator is a soft “ chuckle, ” unless predator is close, in which case the squirrel gives a “ rattle ” vocalization. Conspecifics react to the latter by freezing and, if nearby, by also giving a rattle call. This call is used more generally for a close encounter with a terrestrial predator. Snakeselicit squeak alarm calls, causing other squirrels to join in mobbing the snake.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The nest of the Plantain Squirrel is spherical in shape, with a poorly defined lateral entrance. It consists of a firm outer wall of twigs or leaves and is lined with fibrous material, such as shredded palm spathe. It is usually placed in the upper branches of a large bush or small tree. In Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, females mate with 2 - 4 males during a period of 6 - 7 hours, with 5 - 7 males attending. After mating, a male gives a post-copulatory bark for 0 - 5 - 8 minutes. Between 1948 and 1952 in Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve (Malaysia), females were pregnant in every month ofthe year, with the fewest in October-December (8 %) and the most in April-June (29 %). Litter size was 1 - 4, with a mean of 2 - 2 young (n = 25 litters).

Sciuridae