Callosciurus#Pallas.27s squirrel
Distinctive, but well hidden: The red belly
The Pallas squirrel ( Callosciurus erythraeus ) or Rotbauchhörnchen is a member of the Real Nice Croissant ( Callosciurus ).
Features
The numerous subspecies of Pallas squirrels are in their characteristics, both in the body mass as well as the coloring, very variable and it is difficult to formulate a unified feature description. Pallas Squirrel reach a head -body length of up to 20 cm, the bushy tail nearly doubles the length of the animal.
The Pallas Squirrel, is unobtrusive olive green colored usually at the top of the stomach but bright red. Pallas squirrels have strong claws on fingers and toes, the ankles are extremely rotatable, which enables them to quickly climb trees. Thanks to the position of her large eyes Pallas squirrels can also look backwards without turning his head.
Habitat and Distribution
The Pallas squirrel has his home in the central and eastern South China, including the islands of Hainan and Taiwan, and much of the Southeast Asian mainland from Vietnam to Bangladesh and northern India.
By the people, the Pallas squirrel has now also spread to France and Belgium ( since 2005). Other countries in which the Pallas squirrels were introduced, Argentina, Japan and the Netherlands. Perhaps the Pallas squirrels are a threat to Europe's native red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris).
Way of life
The natural habitat of Pallas squirrels are the tops of subtropical mountain forests in China by subalpine coniferous and mixed forests. But you can meet them on trees in city parks.
Nutrition
The croissants are also considered important seed dispersers for various tree species. In addition to seeds, grains, nuts and fruits Pallas squirrels feed on insects.
Reproduction and Development
Pallas squirrels have multiple partners. Are the females ready to conceive, several males gather around them and begin to call. Then begin the males to fight each other. The winner then often guarded the female after mating for a while to make sure that he is the father of the offspring. If the number of challengers, however, too high, it may happen that the guards give up and also other males come into play. The female builds during the breeding season in spring and autumn a nest for their offspring. After the birth of the boys, it takes care of them until their independence.
In captivity, Pallas squirrels were up to 17 years old.
System
The Pallas Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus is classified as a separate species within the genus of the Real Nice Croissant ( Callosciurus ), which consists of 15 species. The first scientific description written by Peter Simon Pallas from 1779, which is probably an individual from Assam, India, described; the exact area ( Terra typica ) is unknown. The specific taxonomic differentiation from other species, the subdivision into subspecies is currently under discussion. So especially Callosciurus erythraeus flavimanus is common ( also here) considered conspecific, while it is considered by some editors also as a separate species. In the past, numerous types and subtypes have been described which are now considered as synonyms.
Within the species today besides the nominate Callosciurus erythraeus erythraeus numerous other subspecies are distinguished. Overall today are 26 subspecies as confirmed:
- Callosciurus erythraeus erythraeus
- Callosciurus erythraeus atrodorsalis
- Callosciurus erythraeus Bartoni
- Callosciurus erythraeus bhutanensis
- Callosciurus erythraeus bonhotei
- Callosciurus erythraeus castaneoventris
- Callosciurus erythraeus erythrogaster
- Callosciurus erythraeus flavimanus
- Callosciurus erythraeus gloveri
- Callosciurus erythraeus gordoni
- Callosciurus erythraeus griseimanus
- Callosciurus erythraeus harringtoni
- Callosciurus erythraeus hendeei
- Callosciurus erythraeus hyperythrus
- Callosciurus erythraeus intermedius
- Callosciurus erythraeus michianus
- Callosciurus erythraeus ningpoensis
- Callosciurus erythraeus Pranis
- Callosciurus erythraeus rubeculus
- Callosciurus erythraeus shanicus
- Callosciurus erythraeus siamensis
- Callosciurus erythraeus sladeni
- Callosciurus erythraeus styani
- Callosciurus erythraeus thai
- Callosciurus erythraeus thaiwanensis
- Callosciurus erythraeus zimmeensis
Threat and protection
The Pallas squirrel is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) due to the large distribution area, the large populations and the unknown threat to the existence as not at risk ( least concern ). It is also present in numerous protected areas and is very adaptable to changes of its habitat.