Monday 15 January 2007

Japanese Squirrel (Sciurus lis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sciurus ("squirrel") lis (?)
Adult Japanese Squirrel (Sciurus lis) at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 16-22cm  /  Weight: 250-310g
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Japanese Squirrel is no way near as common as squirrels in the UK,being a creature of the mountain forests and even there not being present in the densities of the Grey Squirrel in the UK. Human encroachment has made them rarer in Japan and they are rarely seen around most urban areas, although Kamakura is apparently an exception. It is a slightly stockier looking animal than the British species, with more rounded ears and a more snub face.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Sciurus
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -
JAPAN - Japaneseニホンリス  /  Nihonrisu  ("Japan Squirrel")
Japanese endemic species, compartively scarce
 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Single individual seen in Kamakura 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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