Grey-bellied Squirrels
The Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in forests, plantations and gardens in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, southern Myanmar, southern China (Yunnan) and possibly western Laos. It has been introduced in the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. As suggested by its name, its belly is usually grey, though sometimes reddish on the sides. Depending on subspecies and season, the upperparts are grey, yellowish-olive or reddish. Grey-bellied Squirrels are arguably the most common squirrel encountered in Thailand, with one possible exception being the Variable Squirrels.
The Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps) in the following gallery (and the reddish ones in the above gallery) are what I am calling “Island Grey-bellied Squirrels”. These were photographed on the Similan Islands, about 75 kms off the coast of Khao Sok. Based on my observations, and not necessarily by any literature, these individuals seemed smaller and definitely very colorful - red!
