Taxonomy
Callosciurus erythraeus | Pallas's squirrel
Distribution
Status
Legal status
Regulated invasive species of Union concern under the European Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species [1143/2014].
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Botanical garden/zoo/aquaria, Pet/aquarium species
Introduction pathways - 2
Release in Nature
Introduction pathways subclass - 2
Other intentional release
Invasive score
18
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Diurnal arboreal squirrel of similar size to Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) (NNSS, 2016). No sexual dimorphism (Lurz et al., 2016). Head body length is 20-26cm and tail length is 16-20cm (Schockert, 2012). There is variation in colour forms but body colour is usually olive-brown agouti with lighter chin, neck, legs and feet. The chest and abdomen are chestnut or mahogany red. The tail is bushy with some white tipped hairs (NNSS, 2016). The call is a dog-like bark.
Ecology
Can establish a successful population from just a few founder animals (Stockert, 2012). They are highly adaptable in terms of food sources and nest sites. They have a high reproductive capacity and can disperse readily (UNEP-WCMC, 2010). Eat leaves, seeds, flowers, fruits, buds and bark of several plant species as well as a small proportion of insects, snails and birds’ eggs (Tamura, 2009).
Its presence in large numbers may have an impact on native snail and bird species. Most active at dawn and dusk (NNSS, 2016). They compete with native Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) for food and nest sites (Tamura, 2009). Can cause problems by cutting through phone and electricity wires (Tamura, 2009). They also strip bark from trees, damaging timber and killing trees, impoverishing species diversity in forestry and natural woodlands (Tamura, 2009).
Reproduction
Builds nests or uses tree hollows in the 'mid-high canopy of trees' (Schockert, 2012). Breed throughout the year with 1-3 litters per year per female (Tamura, 2009). Gestation period is 47-49 days (Schockert, 2012). Litters usually contain 1-2 young (NNSS, 2016) with an average of 1.4 surviving to weaning age (Schockert, 2012). Each female may breed with 4 different males (NNSS, 2016). Males and females reach maturity at younger than 1 year and may live for 5 years (Tamura, 2009).
Pathway and vector description
Have been introduced by escapes from zoos or through deliberate introductions for ornamental purpose (NNSS, 2016) or through the pet trade (Tamura, 2009). They are readily available to purchase online (UNEP-WCMC, 2010).
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Predation, Other
Management approach
No effective predators in its introduced range (Tamura, 2009). Early detection is the single biggest obstacle as populations may be well established before they are noticed (Stuyck et al., 2009). Eradication is possible but action must be taken as early as possible once an invasion has been detected (Stuyck et al., 2009).
Public awareness
Public awareness campaigns relating to identification, regulations and threats posed by this species would aid in early detection.
Live trapping
Schtockert (2012) describes the eradication of a population in Belgium using live trapping. Should be carried out from September to December as Sciurus vulgaris rears its young from January to September. Useful bait is banana or walnuts or peanuts. Traps should be checked twice a day. The animals are then either euthanised with carbon dioxide gas or sterilised and exported to zoos. The use of sterilisation rather than euthanasia in the Netherlands encouraged the general public to get involved in the trapping (Schtockert, 2012).
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Prefers mixed forest but can be found in evergreen forestry, woodland, orchards and parks. Female range is approximately 0.5ha and the male range approximately 2ha (Tamura, 2009).
Species group
Vertebrate
Native region
Tropical Asia
Similar species
Sciurus vulgaris can be distinguished by its white belly and distinctive ear tufts (Schockert, 2012).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Introduced in Japan, Hong Kong, Argentina, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy.
Native distribution
From Bhutan and Assam to Taiwan and the Malay Peninsula (NNSS, 2016).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Do not purchase as a pet.
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) (2016) Pallas's squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus. Factsheet. NNSS. http://www.nonnativespecies.org/factsheet/downloadFactsheet.cfm?speciesId=4363 Site accessed 26 September 2017.
Lurz, PWW; Hayssen, V; Geissler, K; Bertolino, S (2013) Callosciurus erythraeus (Rodentia: Sciuridae), Mammalian Species, 45 (902), Pp 60–74, https://doi.org/10.1644/902.1 Site accessed 26 September 2017.
Schockert, V. (2012) Risk analysis of the Pallas's squirrel, Callosciurus erythraeus, Risk analysis report of non-native organisms in Belgium.Cellule interdépartementale sur les Espèces invasives (CiEi), DGO3, SPW / Editions, 39 pages http://ias.biodiversity.be/species/show/126 Site accessed 26 September 2017.
Stuyck, J., Baert, K., Breyne, P. & Adriaens, T. (2009) Invasion history and control of a Pallas squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus population in Dadizele, Belgium. Proceedings of the Science facing Aliens conference, Brussels, 11th May 2009.
Tamura, N (2009) Invasive Species Compendium. Datasheet report for Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas's squirrel). Wallingford, UK: CAB International. http://www.cabi.org Site accessed 26 September 2017.
UNEP-WCMC (2010) Review of Callosciurus erythraeus and Sciurus niger. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/reports/Callosciurus_erythraeus_Sciurus_niger.pdf Site accessed 26 September 2017.
Relevant links
Invasive Species in Belgium - Species information, documents and references
Additional comments
A population in Dadizele, Belgium has been successfully eradicated (Stuyck et al., 2009).