# Prevost's squirrel (*Callosciurus prevostii*) Prevost's squirrels are small, lively creatures with fluffy tails and bright fur. They love to climb trees and are often seen playing in the branches. These squirrels are very curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Prevost's squirrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Callosciurus_prevosti.jpg&width=800) Photo: Karakal, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callosciurus_prevosti.jpg) ## Appearance The Prevost's squirrel has a striking three-color coat: a glossy black back, pure white flanks, and a rich reddish-brown belly. Its head is often dark, contrasting with the bright side stripes, making it easily distinguishable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Callosciurus ## Interesting facts - Its bushy tail helps it balance when running along thin branches! - Prevost's squirrels use their nimble front paws almost like hands to peel fruit! - These squirrels chat with chirps and trills to warn friends about danger! - They sometimes build cozy nests called dreys high in the trees! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Climber:** Prevost's squirrel can leap between branches and climb tall trees because of its sharp claws and powerful legs, helping it navigate its forest home. - **Seed Planter:** Prevost's squirrel has a habit of burying seeds that helps new plants grow by spreading them across the forest floor. - **Keen Eyesight:** Prevost's squirrel can spot tiny fruits and insects from afar because it has excellent vision, helping it find food quickly in dense foliage. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-27 cm - **Weight:** 0.25-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 40-46 days ## Diet & Feeding These busy squirrels munch on many different plants and even tiny insects! - **Primary Foods:** Wild fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Insects, Bird eggs, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Changeable Hawk-Eagle (*Nisaetus cirrhatus*) — A large raptor that hunts squirrels in the canopy. - **Eaten by:** Indochinese Rat Snake (*Ptyas korros*) — A common arboreal snake that preys on squirrels. - **Eats:** Cluster fig (*Ficus racemosa*) — Consumes its fruits, helping to disperse its seeds. - **Eats:** Mango (*Mangifera indica*) — Feeds on ripe mangoes in orchards and forests. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch squirrels from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Prevost's squirrel? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Prevost's squirrel? 20-27 cm ### How much does Prevost's squirrel weigh? 0.25-0.5 kg ### How long does Prevost's squirrel live? 5-8 years ### How fast can Prevost's squirrel move? 18 km/h ### What does Prevost's squirrel eat? These busy squirrels munch on many different plants and even tiny insects! ### Where is Prevost's squirrel usually found? Forests ### How does Prevost's squirrel hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Micke Grove Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/micke-grove-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Biosphäre Potsdam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biosphare-potsdam) — Brandenburg, DE · Zoo - [Orlando Loch Haven Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/orlando-loch-haven-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see Prevost's squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prevosts-squirrel) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Prevost's squirrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prevosts-squirrel)