Animal A Day!

Belomys pearsonii Despite being first described in 1908, not much is known about the Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel, due to their habitat and behavior. These rodents live in central and southern Asia, inhabiting deciduous forests at elevations of between 1500 and  2400m. They also happen to be nocturnal, which makes them difficult to track. Name for the long hairs on their feet (that keep them warm in cold seasons), Hairy-footed Flying Squirrels have a body length of around 9in, and a tail that is only about 5. Their fur is reddish-brown on the top, with lighter undersides. They live in tree hollows. We don't really know how well the Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel is doing out there, since they are so little studied. It is believed that their population is on the decline , due to habitat loss from logging and agricultural use. IUCN Status :  Data Deficient Location :   Asia Size :  Body length around 9in (22cm) Classification :  Phy...

Sciurillus pusillus The Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel is an animal that really intrigues me... because I know almost nothing about it. There is actually so little recorded about these rodents that they are listed as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN. It is even difficult finding pictures of them! Neotropical Pygmy Squirrels are the smallest of all the South American Squirrels, weighing as little as 40g . (For comparison, the Western Grey Squirrel of North American can weigh ten times that much!) They have a patchy distribution in the lowland rainforests of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and nearby areas. Their small sizes means that we don't see them very often, and only recently have them become subjects of study (but there is still so, so much to learn!) We have learned that they are monotypic for their subfamily, that they have very small littler sizes (no more than 2), and they probably feed on the barks, gums, mosses, and insects and grow/live in the trees....

Cynomys parvidens There are five different species of Prairie Dog, with the Utah being the smallest. They also happen to be one of the most rare, and are listed as Endangered. They have cinnamon colored backs, white tails, and brown spots above and below the eyes. Unsurprisingly, the Utah Prairie Dog is found only within the State of Utah. They, like all Prairie Dogs, are members of the Squirrel family, and they are most closely related to the White-tailed Prairie Dog. The two species may have once been a single species way back when, though they are now separate and live in different ranges (the White-tailed lives further north and east). Utah Prairie Dogs build extensive underground burrows, and their large extended families live together within them. They live in these "towns" year round, and remain in them exclusively in the winter, though they don't take part in a true hibernation process. Utah Prairie Dogs are primarily herbivores, preferrin...

Ratufa macroura The Grizzled Giant Squirrel is a threatened species that is found in only a few spots of India and Sri Lanka. There are three different subspecies , and as a whole they are the smallest of the Indian Giant Squirrels. Grizzled Giant Squirrels are named for the white flecks of hair that cover their greyish-brown bodies, giving them a grizzled look. They also have very long tails that can constitute over half their total body length, and small round ears with tufts. Though there are Squirrels that live on the ground (I'm looking at you Marmots), this particular species lives just about exclusively in the trees. Their long tails make them great jumpers, and they can leap as far as 6m between trees! Grizzled Giant Squirrels are very territorial, and usually live alone or in pairs. They forage during the daytime, searching for fruits, nuts, insects, and even bird eggs. Pairs produce one little a year, number 1-2 offpsring. Unfortunately, the Grizzled Giant Squir...

Marmota marmota It's been a while since we last talked about a Marmot- those big old Ground Squirrels that tend to produce some hilarious photographs . Today's Marmot is the largest of the clan, which also makes it the largest of all the world's Squirrels as well! Alpine Marmots are found (where else?) in the European Alps. Though I should also note that they have been introduced to the Pyrenees, the Carpathians, the Tatras, and a few other areas as well. Grassy, high-altitude plains are their preferred habitats, as they allow them to build the complex burrows systems that they live in, and to feed on the grasses and flowers that they prefer. Marmot families are pretty  close knit , are are comprised of a breeding pair and their offspring from previous years. They can number as few as 3-5 individuals, or as large as 50 ! There is some interbreeding within these colonies, but it is minimal as these colonies are typically female dominant, so the males only...

Funambulus palmarum Indian Palm Squirrels are also sometimes referred to as Three-Striped Palm Squirrels, due to the patterning on their backs. They are found as a native species in India and Sri Lanka , and were intoduced to Australia where they have become quite the nuisance. Did you know that the Indian Palm Squirrel has it's own Hindu legend? According to the story, a bridge was being built by Lord Rama, and a small squirrel decided to help by carrying small rocks and pebbles, all the while chanting Rama's name. He was so impressed by the contribution of this tiny animal that he stroked her back, leaving stripes where his fingers would've touched. Indian Palm Squirrels are a very adaptable, and are able to live in a variety of habitats. Unsurprisingly, they have taken to urban areas just as well as wild ones. They eat fruits, nuts, insects, and eggs. As previously mentioned, Indian Palm Squirrels have become an invasive species in Australia . They consume cro...

Sciurus aberti Abert’s Squirrels are adorable little dudes that are sometimes referred to as Tassel-Eared Squirrels (guess why). Their are nine recognized subspecies that vary in coloration and location, but most sport grey-brown coats and white underbellies.  They live in the coniferous forests of western North America, and have a rather interesting relationship with the Ponderosa Pine tree. You see, unlike some plant-animal relationships (I’m looking at you Maned Wolf / Lobeira), the one between the Squirrel and Pine is not a perfect one for all parties involved. The Squirrels use the trees for shelter and food, but the Pines don’t really want them there, despite the fact that the Squirrels help to spread beneficial fungi to the Pines. Abert's Squirrel The Ponderosas that live in especially Squirrely areas secret extra chemicals to keep the critters away, and the Squirrels search for less toxic Ponderosa’s to live and feed on. Unfortunately, the Pines with higher che...