Dremomys pyrrhomerus

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 648-837 : 723

30.

Red-hipped Squirrel

Dremomys pyrrhomerus

French: Ecureuil a hanches rousses / German: Rothiiftenhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de flancos rojos

Taxonomy. Sciurus pyrrhomerus Thomas, 1895, “Ichang, Yang-tse-kiang [river] [Hu- pei, China].” Two subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

D.p.pyrrhomerusThomas,1895—S&CChina(Sichuan,Guizhou,Hunan,Hubei,Anhui,Guangxi,Guangdong,Jiangxi,extremeWFujian)andextremeNVietnam.

D. p. riudonensisJ. A. Allen, 1906 — Hainan 1

Descriptive notes. Head-body 194-210 mm, tail 140-162 mm; weight c.245 g. The Red-hipped Squirrel has a conspicuous red patch on each thigh, and entire underside of tail is vivid red. Nominate subspecies pyrrhomerus has conspicuous reddish patches on thighs, but no red on head; riudonensis also has conspicuous reddish hip patches, but its head is completely red.

Habitat. Holes in rocky terrain and similar habitats. The Red-hipped Squirrelis spottily distributed within the landscape.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Red-hipped Squirrel is almost entirely terrestrial and is recorded as being fairly inactive during the winter season.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Redhipped Squirrel has a wide distribution, a presumed large population, and occurs in a number ofprotected areas. It has been regionally Red Listed in China as Near Threatened.

Bibliography. Moore & Tate (1965), Smith & Johnston (2008x), Smith & Yan Xie (2008), Thorington et al. (2012), Wang Sung & Yan Xie (2004).