Genus Tamiops, Asiatic Striped Squirrels

Asiatic striped squirrels are a genus (Tamiops) of squirrels (Sciuridae) in the subfamily Callosciurinae. They are small striped arboreal squirrels from Asia. Their head to body length measured from 10 to 13 cm. They often are confused with other squirrels (e.f. Funambulus or Tamias). In contrast to these other squirrels, they have smaller rounded ears with white-tipped hairs. A black longitudinal stripe is present in the middle of the back, which is parallel on both sides with two pairs of pale longitudinal stripes. These pale stripes are separated by dark brownish stripes. In some countries, they are kept as pets.

The four species of Asiatic striped squirrels are (All but Swinhoe’s have galleries on this page):

  • Himalayan striped squirrel, T. mcclellandii

  • Maritime striped squirrel, T. maritimus

  • Cambodian striped squirrel, T. rodolphii

  • Swinhoe's striped squirrel, T. swinhoei

Asiatic striped squirrels can be identified by the differences in the stripe pattern. For example, in some species, the stripe of the cheek interrupts in the shoulder region and does not continue to the outermost pale stripe.

The maritime striped squirrel or eastern striped squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in southern and eastern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, and Laos and Vietnam east of Mekong. It is diurnal, highly arboreal and feeds on fruits, seeds, insects; in addition its diet includes nectar of ginger (Alpinia kwangsiensis)

Maritime Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) - Fujian China

The Cambodian striped squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in eastern Thailand, Cambodia, southern Laos, and southern Vietnam.

One of the Cambodian striped squirrel's more unique behaviors is how it forages for food by searching across the vertical bark surfaces of trees. It is relatively uncommon across the squirrel family and especially so without abducted limb adaptations.

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii)

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii) - Nong Kai northern Thailand & Rayong, Southeastern Thailand

The Himalayan striped squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii), also known as western striped squirrel, or Burmese striped squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It lives in a variety of forest from tropical to subtropical in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. This species is diurnal, arboreal and feeds on fruits, vegetable matter, and insects. It often seen in small groups and uses tree holes for shelter.

The rapid uplift of the Himalayan Mountains is believed to have caused the diversification of the three main Tamiops lineages. Multiple divergences from 5.8 to 1.7 mya likely led to the formation of modern Tamiops species.

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii)

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) - Peninsular Malaysian Population - Bukit Tinggi

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) - Kaeng Krachan and vicinity - central, western Thailand

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) - Kaeng Krachan and vicinity - central, western Thailand

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) -Southern Thailand - Promluk and Krung Ching

Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Tamiops mcclellandii) -Doi Inthanon, Northern Thailand population