Grey-bellied Squirrels
Northern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps)
Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus concolor)
The Northern 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 map to the right is the map for the distribution for both species of Grey-bellied Squirrels. An updated map for the Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel is in the final gallery below.
Waterholes near Kaeng Krachan NP, Petchaburi Thailand
Huai Kha Khaeng NWS
Kaeng Krachan NP
Baan Maka Petchabri Thailand
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
Kaeng Krachan NP
Kaeng Krachan & Surrounding Bird Waterholes
Northern Gray-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps) Kaeng Krachan National Park ESS Expedition 2026
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! These may currently be the Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel species as well althoug the red is more pronounced on the islands.
Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus concolor)
The Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus concolor) is a rodent found in Southern Thailand and West Malaysia, recently distinguished from the Northern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps). They feature a grey or silvery belly, often with an olive-brown upper body and sometimes a reddish wash on the flanks.
Key Details and Characteristics:
Location: Found in southern Thailand (e.g., Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary) and Peninsular Malaysia.
Appearance: They are similar in appearance to the northern species but are considered a distinct, more southern-ranging species. They often have a thick, bushy tail, sometimes with faint grey banding and a dark tip.
Habitat: Common in forests, plantations, and gardens.
Diet: They feed on fruits, nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, insects, and bird eggs.
Behavior: They are arboreal and play a role in seed dispersal.
Recent taxonomic splits (Hinckley et al., 2024) distinguish Callosciurus concolor (Southern) from Callosciurus caniceps (Northern) based on geographical distribution, with C. concolor appearing in the far south of Thailand and into Malaysia. I have included images of the “Island Grey-bellied Squirrels” I discussed above to illustrate the differences even though they may in fact be the same species as either C. caniceps or C. concolor.
Southern Grey-bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus concolor) seen in Koh Libong, Trang Province
