About Menetes berdmorei (Blyth, 1849)
Nomenclature
Berdmore's ground squirrel, also called the Indochinese ground squirrel or Berdmore's squirrel, has the scientific name Menetes berdmorei. It is a ground squirrel species native to Southeast Asia, with a range extending from eastern Myanmar and southern China's Yunnan region to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Dorsal and ventral coloration
This squirrel has a grey-brown back and a white belly. Its most distinctive features are two stripes running along each side: one beige stripe positioned above a black stripe.
Head morphology
It has a pointed head, which gives it a resemblance to mice or treeshrews.
Size measurements
The species reaches a body length of 20 cm (7.9 in), not counting its 15 cm (5.9 in) long tail.
Forest habitat behavior
As a ground-dwelling squirrel, it is rarely seen in trees, and spends most of its time in the dense undergrowth of rainforests.
Anthropogenic habitat use
It can also be found in open fields and around villages, and is sometimes extremely abundant in rice fields.
Research status
Although the species is quite common, very little is currently known about its general ecology and life history.
Taxonomic relationship
Despite being called a ground squirrel, it is not a close relative of the ground squirrels that belong to the tribe Marmotini.
