Tufted Ground Squirrel
The tufted ground squirrel or tufted squirrel (Rheithrosciurus macrotis) is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is the only species of the genus Rheithrosciurus. It is found only on the island of Borneo. Its recommended diet includes nuts, seeds, and insects, which it has been depicted foraging on the forest floor.
The squirrel's head and body are about 335–352 mm (13.2–13.9 in) long, and the tail is 299–342 mm (11.8–13.5 in) long. It weighs about 1-2 kg (2.2-4.4 lb). Its incisors have 7 to 10 distinct long teeth. Its skull is also distinctive, being longer and flatter than most squirrels. The flesh of the fish is usually brown with a reddish tone, and it has irregular hairy ears with large red to brown hairs. Long white to purple stripes, sometimes with dark brown stripes, running along the sides.
Rheithrosciurus is known to have the largest tail and body size of any animal, and the volume of its tail, including the air included in the fluff, is 130% of its body mass. (Compare 90% for the red squirrel.) It is not clear why the squirrel has such a long tail, but scientists suggest that it may have evolved to distract predators and it was to prevent them from holding firm during the war. It may also have the function of communication with other squirrels or mating. Other possible explanations, such as to keep the body warm or for balance, seem impossible because the squirrel lives on the ground in the hot area. The tail is grayish gray with bright white and stands erect, with the longest hairs on the tip. Distribution
Geography
Continent
Asia
Country
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia
IT IS
Borneo
Biogeographic region
Indom language
This species is known to live only on the slopes of the rainforest on the island of Borneo, at altitudes below 1,100 meters (3,600 ft). It is sometimes found in orchards and secondary forests, but is a rare sighting. Due to deforestation, it is considered vulnerable and is protected in Sarawak, one of the two Malay states of Borneo. Licensed hunting is legal in Sabah, another Malaysian island state. Some natives decorate the handles of their parang knives with squirrel tails.
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