Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Finlayson's squirrel

Callosciurus finlaysonii

Thomas Horsfield, 1823

Finlayson's squirrel or the variable squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii, sometimes misspelled C. finlaysoni) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The subspecies C. f. floweri, which is adapted to urban parks and gardens around Bangkok has been introduced in the Serangoon area of Singapore. There are also two introduced populations in Italy, probably a result of the species' popularity in the pet trade; both are thought to be of subspecies C. f. bocourti; it is possible that some of the Callosciurus squirrels introduced into Japan are also Finlayson's squirrels.

The pelage colour in this species is extremely variable; currently 16 subspecies are recognised, including C. f. ferrugineus which has been treated as a separate species. The subspecific name of C. f. boonsongi commemorates Thai zoologist and conservationist Dr. Boonsong Lekagul.

Like other squirrels of its genus (the "beautiful squirrels", Callosciurus), Finlayson's squirrel is normally a canopy-dweller, feeding mainly on fruit (Kitamura et al., (2002). Field evidence suggests that it has the usual form of dichromatic mammalian colour vision, which may enable it to discriminate ripe from unripe fruits (Tamura et al., 2015).

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Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Sciuridae
Genus
Callosciurus
Species
Callosciurus finlaysonii

Common names

  • English:
    • Finlayson's squirrel
    • Variable squirrel

Subspecies

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii albivexilli

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii annellatus

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii bocourti

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii boonsongi

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii cinnamomeus

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii ferrugineus

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii finlaysonii

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii folletti

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii frandseni

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii germaini

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii harmandi

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii menamicus

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii nox

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii sinistralis

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii trotteri

  • Callosciurus finlaysonii williamsoni

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Finlayson's squirrel

Range Map

Distribution map of Finlayson's squirrel, Callosciurus finlaysonii in Thailand
  • Bang Lamung District, Chonburi
  • Bangkok Province
  • Chok Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai
  • Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kham Thale So District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Khao Kradong Forest Park
  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Mueang Mukdahan District, Mukdahan
  • Mueang Nongbua Lamphu District, Nong Bua Lamphu
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Nong Phai District, Phetchabun
  • Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
  • Phu Kradueng National Park
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
  • Sam Roi Yot District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Tat Mok National Park
  • Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Range map of Callosciurus finlaysonii in Thailand