Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits tropical rainforests and secondary forests in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It prefers areas with dense canopy cover and abundant trees for nesting and foraging, often at elevations up to 1,000 meters.
Diet
The Black-eared squirrel feeds mainly on nuts, seeds, and fruits from forest trees, supplemented by insects and occasionally bird eggs. It forages during the day in the canopy, using its sharp teeth to crack open hard shells, and is known to cache food for later use.
Behavior
Black-eared squirrels are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees where they leap between branches with agility. They are generally solitary or live in small family groups, exhibiting territorial behavior by marking trees with scent glands. These squirrels are alert and quick to vocalize alarm calls when threatened.
Conservation Status
The Black-eared squirrel is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend in most of its range. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and fragmentation due to agriculture and logging.