Squirrels and Treeshrews

Plantain squirrel, Tupai kampong
Callosciurus notatus

Identified by two cream and black stripes on the sides of its body. It is commonly mistaken for the common treeshrew (Tupaia glis) but the  plantain squirrel has a bushier tail and a more rounded face than the common tree shrew. In the city, it is easy to spot them running on cable wires between electric poles to cross from one place to another. It feeds mainly on fruits such as jackfruits and mangoes.

Common treeshrew, Tupai muncung besar
Tupaia glis

It has reddish-orange brown to olive-brown fur. It is commonly mistaken for the plantain squirrel however, the long and pointed snout indicates that it is a treeshrew. Agile in trees but more often found on the ground. Common treeshrews are territorial. When two tree shrews are chasing one another, it is an aggressive territorial chase.

Local name: Tupai kampong, tupai kampong, tupai merah, tupai pinang

Activity pattern: Diurnal

Ecological function: Seed disperser

Level in food chain: Primary consumer

Feeding behaviour: Omnivore

Food items: Fruits, sometimes insects

Microhabitat: Shrubs and tree holes

Local name: Lotong kelabu

Activity pattern: Diurnal

Ecological function: Seed disperser

Level in food chain: Primary and secondary consumer

Feeding behaviour: Omnivore

Food items: Insects and fruits

Microhabitat: Shrubs and tree holes