Hyosciurus

The piglets squirrels ( Hyosciurus ) are a genus of squirrels, which are endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. They are named after the trunk-like elongated noses. Other features that distinguish this from other squirrels, are the short tail and the greatly enlarged claws.

There are two types:

• Mountain piglets squirrels, Hyosciurus hein richi Archbold & Tate 1935
• Lowland piglets squirrels, Hyosciurus ileile Archbold & Tate 1936

First, both were described as subspecies of the same species, but both provided by Musser 1987 species status. The mountain piglets squirrel, which lives only in the central mountains of the island of Sulawesi, has a longer snout and bigger nose bone than the lowland piglets squirrels, which is found in the north. The mountain piglets squirrels living at altitudes 1500-2300 m, the lowland piglets squirrels 0-1700 m. Differences in coat color, there is not; both types are on the upper side dark brown in color and marked with irregular beige brown spots. The body length is 20 cm, added 10 inch cock.

About the way of life almost nothing is known. Piglets squirrels seem to reside most of the time on the ground, where they move in search of food by low vegetation. Here they dig their burrows, to which they are the long claws useful.

Because of their small distribution area both types of IUCN are listed as endangered. Population numbers, however, are unknown.

Other endemic Sulawesi squirrels are: Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel, Sulawesi giant squirrel.