Irrawaddy squirrel
{{short description|Species of squirrel from Asia}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Irrawaddy squirrel
| image = Hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) Nagarjun.jpg
| image_caption = Nagarjun Forest, Kathmandu, Nepal
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Callosciurus
| species = pygerythrus
| authority = (I. Geoffroy, 1832)
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision_ref = {{MSW3 Sciuridae |pages=754–818 |id=12400001 |heading=Species Callosciurus pygerythrus}}
| subdivision =
- C. p. pygerythrus
- C. p. blythii
- C. p. janetta
- C. p. lokroides
- C. p. mearsi
- C. p. owensi
- C. p. stevensi
| synonyms =
| range_map = Range Callosciurus pygerythrus.png
}}
The Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) or hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.
Description
Irrawaddy squirrels vary in fur color, with some squirrels being greyish-brown and reddish-brown, and some squirrels being grizzled. Some squirrels have dark tips on their tails and pale hip patches. Its head to body length is about 20 centimeters and its tail length is about 20 centimeters as well.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} Irrawaddy squirrels weigh approximately 45 grams.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
Distribution
It is native to Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Most squirrels that live in Myanmar live west of the Irrawaddy River. Irrawaddy squirrels can live in several types of forests, including deciduous broad-leaved woodland, coniferous evergreen forests, mixed agricultural areas, and secondary growth forests. They can also live in lowlands and lower mountainous regions, at around 1500 meters. It is threatened by habitat loss.{{Cite web|title=Irrawaddy Squirrel - Callosciurus pygerythrus|url=https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/irrawaddy-squirrel.htm|access-date=2021-10-21|website=www.ecologyasia.com}}
Diet
Irrawaddy squirrels mainly eat nuts, seeds, fruits, bark, lichen, and various types of vegetation, however, they may occasionally eat insects and small vertebrates.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{S. Callosciurinae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q862521}}
Category:Mammals of Bangladesh
Category:Mammals described in 1832
Category:Taxa named by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
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