Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) lives in mountain forests across Southeast Asia. It feeds on nuts and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel
- The Asian red-cheeked squirrel inhabits eight countries across South-East Asia, ranging from Cambodia and Laos through Thailand and Vietnam. Its distribution also reaches into China, India, Malaysia and Myanmar, giving it a remarkably wide range for a forest-dwelling squirrel. This extensive presence across diverse national habitats highlights its adaptability to varied forest types throughout the region.
- Only six species of the genus Dremomys exist, and every one of them is confined to Asia. All six are evaluated by the IUCN as Least Concern, indicating that none are currently considered threatened. They belong to the subfamily Callosciurinae, placing them within the broader squirrel family and linking them to other Asian tree-squirrels.
- In the Red River Valley the Asian red-cheeked squirrel shares its habitat with the red-throated squirrel, but it prefers higher elevations than its counterpart. The type specimen of D. rufigenis was collected at 2,500-3,000 m, confirming its affinity for higher ground compared with the red-throated species that occupies the same valley.
- The Bornean mountain ground squirrel was originally placed in the Dremomys genus but recent taxonomic work has reassigned it to the Sundasciurus genus. This change reflects ongoing revisions as scientists refine squirrel classifications based on new data. The species continues to inhabit the same region, occurring in Indonesia and Malaysia, so its geographic range remains unchanged despite the new generic placement.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatMountain forests
DietNuts and seeds
About the Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel
In the lush canopies of Southeast Asia's tropical forests, the Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel darts with reckless abandon, its rusty-hued cheeks blazing like embers as it leaps from branch to branch with an effortless ease. With a flick of its bushy tail, it navigates the dense undergrowth, its large, round eyes shining with a perpetual curiosity as it forages for nuts and seeds in the dappled light. As it moves, the squirrel's silky coat ripples in the sunlight, its very presence a testament to the vibrant tapestry of life that thrives in these ancient, verdant landscapes.
Hear the Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
