Mammals Active during the day

Pallas' Squirrel

Callosciurus erythraeus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

With its fiery red belly and incredible acrobatic skills, the Pallas' Squirrel is a charismatic master of the treetops. Originally from the forests of Asia, this clever and vocal rodent has adapted to thrive in gardens and parks across the globe.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 20–26 cm (8–10 in), tail 17–22 cm (6.5–8.5 in), weight 310–460 g (11–16 oz)

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Colors

Olive-brown to grayish-green agouti fur on the back with a distinctive, vibrant chestnut-red or bright orange belly and inner limbs.

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Key Features

Vibrant chestnut-red or deep orange belly
Speckled olive-brown 'agouti' upperparts
Bushy tail often tipped with pale or frosted hairs
Rounded ears without prominent tufts

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist omnivore that primarily eats seeds, nuts, and fruits, but will supplement its diet with flower buds, nectar, insects, and occasionally bird eggs.

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Habitat Highly adaptable; found in broadleaf forests, coniferous woods, suburban gardens, urban parks, and fruit orchards.

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Where Does the Pallas' Squirrel Live?

Native to the lush and varied landscapes of East and Southeast Asia, the Pallas' Squirrel is widely distributed across China, Taiwan, northern India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Due to its hardy nature and popularity in the pet trade, it has successfully established introduced populations in several distant corners of the globe. Today, thriving colonies can be found in Japan, Argentina, and parts of Europe, including France, Belgium, and Italy, where they often inhabit suburban parklands and managed forests.

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9 Countries

5.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

CN China Taiwan Vietnam TH Thailand IN India JP Japan FR France AR Argentina Belgium

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Pallas' Squirrels are highly energetic, diurnal acrobats that spend most of their lives in the tree canopy. They are remarkably agile, capable of making massive leaps between branches and descending tree trunks head-first. Known for their intelligence and curiosity, they are often the first to investigate new objects in their environment, making them a favorite (or a foe) for backyard birders. Unlike many other squirrel species, they are quite vocal, using a series of barks, whistles, and staccato chatters to defend their territory or sound the alarm when a predator is spotted.

In urban and suburban settings, these squirrels show incredible adaptability. They often build large, spherical nests called 'dreys' out of twigs, moss, and leaves, typically wedged high in the crotch of a tree for safety. While they are mostly solitary, multiple individuals may be seen in the same area if food is abundant, though they will occasionally engage in high-speed chases to establish dominance.

Their interaction with humans is a mix of charm and mischief. In their introduced ranges, they have gained a reputation for their persistence, often figuring out how to bypass complex squirrel-proof feeders. They are also known for 'bark stripping,' a behavior where they chew the bark off trees to reach the sweet sap underneath, which can sometimes damage ornamental garden trees.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of the Pallas' Squirrel, place your camera at a height of 4 to 6 feet, ideally facing a horizontal tree limb or a fence top that they use as a regular travel route. These squirrels are creatures of habit and will often follow the exact same path through a garden every day. Set your camera to a fast trigger speed and high frame rate, as their movements are notoriously jerky and rapid; a 'burst' or 'multi-shot' mode is essential to catch that perfect still of them paused with a nut.

Baiting is an effective way to keep these fast-moving mammals in the camera's field of view for longer periods. A platform feeder stocked with walnuts, sunflower seeds, or apple slices works wonders. For a more natural look, you can wedge nuts into the deep crevices of tree bark within the camera's focal range. This encourages the squirrel to stay in one spot and work for the food, giving you ample time to capture the detail of their striking red underparts.

Since they are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, try to position your camera so it isn't facing directly into the rising or setting sun, which can wash out the vibrant colors of their fur. If you are tracking them in the winter, look for 'dreys' (nests) in the trees and point your camera toward the nearest large branch; they will often sun themselves on these branches during the middle of the day to conserve heat. In suburban areas, placing the camera near a water source like a birdbath is also a highly effective tactic, especially during dry summer months.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Pallas' Squirrel.

Eurasian Red Squirrel

The Red Squirrel is smaller, has prominent ear tufts during winter, and lacks the olive-green agouti patterning found on the Pallas' Squirrel's back.

Swinhoe's Striped Squirrel

Much smaller with distinct longitudinal stripes down its back, whereas the Pallas' Squirrel has a solid, speckled olive-brown back.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pallas' Squirrels are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They usually have two peaks of activity: one in the early morning shortly after sunrise and another in the late afternoon before they return to their nests for the night.

The best way to attract them is by providing food like unsalted nuts (walnuts and hazelnuts are favorites), sunflower seeds, or fresh fruit slices. They are also drawn to water, so a birdbath or small fountain can be a major draw in residential areas.

They are opportunistic omnivores with a diverse diet. While they primarily eat seeds, nuts, and fruit, they also consume tree bark, flower nectar, and various insects. In suburban areas, they are notorious for raiding bird feeders for seeds and suet.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas within both their native and introduced ranges. They thrive in gardens and parks that offer a mix of tall trees for nesting and supplemental food sources provided by humans.

The most obvious difference is the belly color; Pallas' Squirrels have a deep chestnut-red or orange belly, while Grey Squirrels have white or cream-colored underparts. Pallas' Squirrels also have a more olive-toned, grizzled appearance on their backs.

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