Asiatic striped squirrels are a genus (Tamiops) of squirrels (Sciuridae) in the subfamily Callosciurinae. They are small striped arboreal squirrels from Asia. Their head to body length measured from 10 to 13 cm. They often are confused with other squirrels (e.f. Funambulus or Tamias). In contrast to these other squirrels, they have smaller rounded ears with white-tipped hairs. A black longitudinal stripe is present in the middle of the back, which is parallel on both sides with two pairs of pale longitudinal stripes. These pale stripes are separated by dark brownish stripes. In some countries, they are kept as pets.

The four species of Asiatic striped squirrels are (All species below have galleries on this page):

• Southeast Asian striped squirrel, T. barbei

• Maritime striped squirrel, T. maritimus

• Cambodian striped squirrel, T. rodolphii

• Swinhoe's striped squirrel, T. swinhoei

Asiatic striped squirrels can be identified by the differences in the stripe pattern. For example, in some species, the stripe of the cheek interrupts in the shoulder region and does not continue to the outermost pale stripe.

New species split paper: Lost in synonymy: Integrative species delimitation reveals two unrecognized species of Southern Asian tree squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Callosciurinae)

Maritime Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus)

The maritime striped squirrel or eastern striped squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in southern and eastern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, and Laos and Vietnam east of Mekong. It is diurnal, highly arboreal and feeds on fruits, seeds, insects; in addition its diet includes nectar of ginger (Alpinia kwangsiensis)

Maritime Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) - Fujian China

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii)

The Cambodian striped squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in eastern Thailand, Cambodia, southern Laos, and southern Vietnam.

One of the Cambodian striped squirrel's more unique behaviors is how it forages for food by searching across the vertical bark surfaces of trees. It is relatively uncommon across the squirrel family and especially so without abducted limb adaptations.

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii)

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii) - Nong Kai northern Thailand & Rayong, Southeastern Thailand

The Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei (=mcclellandii)), also known as western striped squirrel, or Burmese striped squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It lives in a variety of forest from tropical to subtropical in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. This species is diurnal, arboreal and feeds on fruits, vegetable matter, and insects. It often seen in small groups and uses tree holes for shelter.

The rapid uplift of the Himalayan Mountains is believed to have caused the diversification of the three main Tamiops lineages. Multiple divergences from 5.8 to 1.7 mya likely led to the formation of modern Tamiops species.

This species has recently undergone revision and the populations in Thailand are now classified as T. barbei with several subspecies, three of which are in galleries below.

Souheast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei (=mcclellandii))

Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei kongensis)- Peninsular Malaysian Population - Bukit Tinggi

Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei inconstans) - Kaeng Krachan and vicinity - central, western Thailand

Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei inconstans) - Kaeng Krachan and vicinity - central, western Thailand

Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei leucotis) Southern Thailand - Promluk and Krung Ching

Southeast Asian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops barbei kongensis) -Doi Inthanon, Northern Thailand population

Swinhoe's Striped Squirrel (Tamiops swinhoei)

Swinhoe's Striped Squirrel (Tamiops swinhoei) is a small species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. This species is found mostly in China and Southeast Asia. Their diet consists of mostly seeds, fruits, nuts and ginger nectar. Like most squirrels they live in forest areas with mountains, usually in groups. They have litters that average in size of 3.25 offspring.

They are small bodied with stripes running from their nose to their neck and a second set that run the length of their body to their tail. The stripes range in color from yellow to brown cinnamon. Small tufts of white fur can be seen on the tips of their ears. They have dense fur to accommodate for the high elevation where they live. Females have a longer tail than males.

Swinhoe's striped squirrels usually breed once every six months. On average they can have 3-6 offspring in a litter.

Swinhoe's striped squirrel are herbivores. They eat mostly nuts, seeds, fruits, and ginger nectar. They collect their food and store it for later dates when food is scarce.

Consuming seeds and nuts is helpful to disperse seeds and nuts in order for more to grow. This species of squirrel also helps humans survive by being a source of food.

Swinhoe's striped squirrel is found mostly in Southeast Asia, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Hainan Island, and possibly Laos. They live in tropical rain forest, where there are many mountains, in mostly couples and groups.

Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel (Tamiops swinhoei) Labahe Nature Reserve, Sichuan China 2024