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Prevost's squirrel, orTricolored squirrel(Callosciurus prevosti)
Phylum —chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — rodentia
Family — sciuridae
Genus – callosciurus
Appearance
The Prevost's squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel, but one of the larger species in its range, although clearly surpassed by the giant squirrels and giant flying squirrels. The head-and-body of the Prevost's squirrel typically is 20–27 cm (8–11 in) long and the tail length is about the same; it weighs 250–500 g (9–18 oz).
Generally, these squirrels are black on top and chestnut underneath, with a white stripe between the black and chestnut. Many subspecies have a prominent shoulder patch, which can be black, grey, red, white, or a mixture of those colors. The coloration of the pelage varies over the species range.
Habitat
It is found in forests in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and nearby smaller islands, with an introduced population in northern Sulawesi.
Behavior
These squirrels are active during the day but mainly at dusk and dawn. They can be seen in groups while feeding in fig trees.
Diet
This squirrel eats fruits, nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, insects and bird eggs.
Reproduction
Although the breeding season is year-round, it peaks between June and August. The gestation period is about 40 days. In captivity females have one to four young. Neonates weigh around 16 grams.Reports on parental care in Callosciurus prevosti are not available. However, like all mammals, the female does provide the young with milk.
Incaptivity
In captivity, they live up to 17 years.
To keep Prevost's squirrel, you need a small aviary or a spacious cage where the squirrel can move freely. A spacious aviary and other favorable conditions for keeping squirrels - a guarantee that they will willingly reproduce in captivity and bring quite viable offspring.
It should be remembered that, like all rodents, Prevost's squirrel have teeth that grow during the whole their lives, and the cage must have branches not only for climbing, but also for grinding teeth. Pieces of thick branches of apple trees or other fruit trees are best suited for this purpose.
These squirrels can be kept with other animals, they all get along well. Unless, of course, they are outright predators.
In feeding, these animals are unpretentious, which in no case means monotonous feeding. On the contrary, you should use a variety of feeds: all kinds of nuts, sunflowers, various grains, a variety of fruits, yoghurts, cottage cheese, boiled, and sometimes raw quail eggs. In nature, squirrels often eat сhicks, so sometimes their diet can be varied and a piece of cooked lean beef or a chicken can be added.
