Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) lives in tropical rainforest across Southeast Asia. It feeds on fruits and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Plantain Squirrel
- A plantain squirrel can stretch a body length of 20-30 cm (8-12 in) and sport a tail just as long, while tipping the scales between 160 g and 259 g (5.6-9.1 oz). Those dimensions make it a medium-sized tree rodent that can dart through branches with the agility of a gymnast. Its size lets it exploit both small twigs for insects and large fruits like mangoes.
- Plantain squirrels breed all year, but pregnancies peak from April to June; after a precise 40-day gestation the mother delivers 1-4 pups, averaging two, each newborn weighing about 16 g. Those tiny, blind, hairless infants stay hidden in a spherical twig nest for six weeks before venturing out.
- When a snake slithers nearby, plantain squirrels emit a distinct alarm that draws two-plus companions to mob the predator, on average 2.33 squirrels join the attack, but a raptor sighting triggers a freeze response and immediate cover. This predator-specific chatter shows the species can assess threat type and coordinate group behavior.
- Plantain squirrels thrive from 500 m up to 1,100 m elevation, with a sweet spot around 800 m, and they occupy everything from primary rainforests to mangroves, scrub, gardens and even urban parks. Their flexibility lets them colonize secondary forests and city green spaces.
- Farmers label the plantain squirrel a pest because it raids fruit crops, and the species is listed as abundant and of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its knack for devouring mangoes, jackfruit and even coconuts means it can cause real losses for growers, yet its high numbers also indicate a robust, adaptable population that can survive in both wild and urban settings, highlighting the thin line between wildlife success and human conflict.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietFruits and seeds
About the Plantain Squirrel
In the dappled light of the tropical forest, the plantain squirrel darts with effortless agility, its rusty-red fur blending seamlessly with the sun-kissed tree trunks as it leaps from branch to branch with an air of insouciant abandon. With a twitch of its bushy tail, it pauses to survey its surroundings, its large, dark eyes shining with a keen intelligence as it navigates the intricate network of its arboreal realm. As it moves through the forest canopy, the plantain squirrel embodies a captivating fusion of quickness, curiosity, and adaptability, its very existence a testament to the enduring resilience of life in this vibrant, thriving ecosystem.
Hear the Plantain 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.
