Red-bellied Tree Squirrel is a large squirrel. It has a body length of 500-600 millimeters, with a relatively short tail that can grow up to 400 millimeters long. The hind legs are approximately 80 millimeters long. The head is white, with reddish-brown eye sockets, chin, upper throat, sides of the neck, and chest. The upper arm has a white patch along the front edge near the shoulder joint. The back, including the nape, the base of the outer side of the ear, the shoulder, and the rest of the body (except for the middle of the back) is chestnut to light chestnut in color. There is a large area of light yellow or grayish-white hair from the back to the base of the tail. The front part of the back is glossy chestnut, while the upper surface of the patagium is chestnut brown and the lower surface is reddish-orange. The ventral surface of the body is pale reddish-brown, and the base of the tail is about 1/4 reddish-orange-brown, gradually changing to dark fawn towards the tip of the tail. Both the front and hind limbs are red, and the toes are black.
Scientific name: Petauristaalborufus
Also known as: Flying Fox, Pine Cat, White-faced Squirrel, White-headed Squirrel, White-eyebrow Squirrel
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Petaurista
Species: alborufus
Subspecies: 5 subspecies
Naming and year: Milne-Edwards, 1870
English name: Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel
The Red-bellied Tree Squirrel is still classified as a Class II protected animal in China.
The Red-bellied Tree Squirrel has been included in the "List of Beneficial or Economically and Scientifically Important Terrestrial Wildlife Species under National Protection" published by the State Forestry Administration of China on August 1, 2000; and the "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species" (ver3.1) in 2013--Low Concern (LC).
It is a beneficial or economically and scientifically important wild animal protected by the Chinese government. The species has a wide distribution range, does not meet the criteria for being close to the critical threshold for species survival (distribution area or fluctuation range less than 20,000 square kilometers, habitat quality, population size, distribution area fragmentation), and the population trend is stable. Therefore, it is evaluated as a species without survival crisis.
The Red-bellied Tree Squirrel is recommended to be kept by enthusiasts of small pet hamsters. It often eats fruits of certain trees, including seeds of some plants and even tender leaves of newly grown trees. Wild Red-bellied Tree Squirrels sometimes even eat insects, while domestically raised ones only need to eat conventional nuts and fruits such as plant seeds and peanuts. When raising Red-bellied Tree Squirrels at home, it is important to provide them with sufficient space for activities while also limiting their activity area to prevent them from escaping, as these animals are agile and swift in their movements.
Pneumonia
When under great pressure, excessively humid, and poor air circulation, squirrels are prone to pneumonia. Symptoms include coughing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and ultimately death. It is also possible for squirrels to contract human colds, so special attention should be paid. Treatment with antibiotics is possible.
Rickets
Like humans, squirrels can also get rickets. In addition to regularly supplementing calcium and active vitamin D, exposure to sunlight is also essential. The use of artificial sunlamps is effective, but improper wavelengths of ultraviolet light can cause serious burns, so it is best to consult a hospital before use.
Fractures
When squirrels play indoors, they can fracture their bones from improper jumping. Simple fractures can heal without surgery if the hospital's instructions are followed. Squirrels are not tolerant of anesthesia, so surgery should be avoided if possible.
Injuries from Fighting
Squirrels have a tendency to attack the weaker members of their pack. If squirrels are found fighting, they should be separated in cages. Injured areas should be treated with antibiotics to prevent infection, and larger wounds may require surgery for suturing. Due to the possibility of cannibalism, weak squirrels should be isolated as soon as possible.
1. Caged breeding: The caged breeding method uses wooden boards to make a box with dimensions of 100 cm x 50 cm x 60 cm. The box is divided into upper and lower levels with four small compartments. The upper two compartments serve as resting rooms with a depth of 30 cm and grass bedding. A wooden stick is inclined to the bottom of the box for the squirrel to move up and down. The lower two compartments are used for feeding, drinking, and excretion.
One side of the box is made of glass for observation. Iron screen doors are installed at both ends of the box for ventilation and easy operation. To make full use of space, breeding boxes can be stacked in 2-3 layers, but the bottom feed box must be lifted a few centimeters from the ground to prevent moisture.
2. Cage breeding: Several large wire cages are placed indoors, and an open nest box with dimensions of 30 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm is placed at a height of 60-80 cm from the cage bottom. The cage is equipped with thick branches for the squirrel to climb and rest in the nest. Food and drinking utensils can be placed on the cage bottom.
Additionally, a wooden board is fixed slightly higher than the squirrel's nest as a excretion place. The advantages of cage breeding are that the squirrel has a relatively larger space to move, which can accelerate its metabolism and increase the amount of excretion.
3. Room breeding: It can be divided into cave breeding and box breeding. Cave breeding involves building several concave caves on the indoor walls at a height of about 1 meter. The cave entrance has a diameter of about 15 cm, a depth of 35 cm, and a height of 30 cm. In order to facilitate the collection of excrement, several wall holes can be built as designated excretion spots.
Food and water are placed outside the cave on the ground. Several trees over 1.5 meters high and artificial rocks are set up in the center of the room for climbing and gliding into the cave for rest. In addition, clean soft grass is placed in the room for the squirrel to build nests on its own.
4. Pit breeding: Suitable for breeding in dry mountainous areas, pit caves have the advantage of being warm in winter and cool in summer, which is closer to the wild habitat of squirrels. Existing pit caves or specially dug pit caves can be used as breeding places for squirrels. The height of the pit cave should preferably be above 2 meters, with a moderate size. Several caves are built at a height of 70-100 cm, with an entrance diameter of about 15 cm, a depth of about 40 cm, and a height of 30 cm, providing a resting place for a squirrel.
Several wooden boards or larger holes can be inserted on the walls of the pit cave as a place for squirrels to excrete. The pit can be buried with dead wood over 1.5 meters high for the squirrel to climb and glide into the pit. At the same time, some dry grass, branches, and leaves are provided for the squirrel to build nests on its own. Food and water are placed on the floor of the pit cave.
Tree squirrels can take sand baths. Prepare a bathtub for them, fill it with bath sand, and let them wash themselves. Owners can also give the tree squirrels a water bath, keeping the water temperature at around 37-38 degrees Celsius. Bathe them quickly in a short period of time, then use a towel or tissue to absorb the moisture on their bodies, and finally use a hairdryer to dry them immediately. When giving them a water bath, be careful to work quickly, otherwise they may catch a cold.
Pet Encyclopedia
