Borneo black-banded squirrel

The Borneo black-banded squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northern Borneo.

Distribution

This species is found in northern Borneo at middle elevations. It was known from G. Dulit and reported from similar altitude on Usun Apau, the Kelabit Highlands and the upper S. Terusan, all montane localities in northern Sarawak. It was also known from Mount Kinabalu and Mount Trusmadi in Sabah. It appears to be restricted to lower montane forest and to upper dipterocarp forest.

Behaviour and ecology

The upper part is finely speckled brown. A pale buffy spot behind each ears. The underside is grey, sometimes with a reddish tinge. It also has a black and buffy-white side stripe. Callosciurus orestes is diurnal. They are active in small to medium-sized trees. Recently, fruit and black ants were found out in the two species of Mount Kinabalu.

Conservation status

Based on The IUCN Red List Threatened Species, Callosciurus orestes is of Least Concern. It is listed as Least Concern as it is a middle montane species with a wide range. Some forest loss is occurring but not enough to list as Near Threatened.