Order : RODENTIA
Family : Sciuridae
Species : Sundasciurus robinsoni

Head-Body Length : up to 15 cm
Tail Length : up to 10 cm

Sundasciurus robinsoni (Robinson's Squirrel) inhabits lowland and lower montane, primary, tall secondary and degraded forest. In lowland areas it occurs alongside Sundasciurus tenuis (Slender Squirrel) throughout much of its range.

The species was formerly considered a subspecies of Sundasciurus lowii, but was revalidated as a distinct species in 2020 (Hinckley et al, 2020).

Its niche is generally regarded as mainly being confined to the forest floor, low shrubs and branches, however at times it is also truly arboreal. Figures 3 and 4 show two possible examples from Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia, which were seen around 10 metres from the ground amongst a tangle of slender branches.

Sundasciurus robinsoni feeds on a range of vegetation including bark, fungi, fruits and some insects. Its nests are made in a variety of locations including tree cavities, low branches and in burrows.

Its identifying features include a short, thick tail, and very pale to white underparts. 

This somewhat elusive species occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and the Riau archipelago. It has not been confirmed in Singapore.

Figs 1 and 2 : Pair of Robinson's Squirrel from Gunung Pulai, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 3 : This squirrel, seen at around 1300 metres elevation at Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia is believed to be an example of Robinson's Squirrel, based on the pale fur on the belly.

Fig 4 : Another squirrel from around 1300 metres elevation at Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia. This is identified as Robinson's Squirrel on the basis of the short, thick tail.


References :

Hinckley A, Hawkins MTR, Achmadi AS, Maldonado JE and Leonard JA (2020) Ancient Divergence Driven by Geographic Isolation and Ecological Adaptation in Forest Dependent Sundaland Tree Squirrels. Front. Ecol. Evol. 8:208. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00208

Thorington Jr., R. W., Koprowski, J. L., Steele, M. A., Whatton, J. F. 2012. Squirrels of the World. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.