Yes, squirrels are abundant and remarkably diverse across the vast landscapes of China. The country is home to a wide range of species belonging to the family Sciuridae, from common tree-dwelling types to specialized ground-dwellers and unique gliding species. This high biodiversity is spread across various habitats, making China a globally significant region for squirrel populations, with many species found nowhere else in the world.
Diversity of Squirrel Species in China
Squirrels in China are broadly divided into three major ecological groups: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks. Tree squirrels, such as the widely distributed Pallas’s squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus), are typically seen foraging in the canopy of forests and urban parks across the southern and eastern regions. These medium-sized arboreal species adapt well to human-modified environments.
Ground squirrels and marmots are mainly found in the arid, high-altitude regions of the west and north. Examples include the Alashan Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus alashanicus) and the Himalayan Marmot (Marmota himalayana). They live in burrows within grasslands and the Tibetan Plateau, spending most of their time on the ground.
Chipmunks, like the Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), are characterized by their small size and noticeable dorsal stripes. They often inhabit forest floors and wooded areas, sometimes overlapping the range of tree squirrels. This division highlights the ecological specializations that allow different squirrel types to thrive in China’s varied climates.
The Importance of Flying Squirrels
China is a global hotspot for the diversity of flying squirrels, which belong to the tribe Pteromyini. These mammals are distinguished by the patagium, a furred membrane of skin that stretches between their front and hind limbs. This unique anatomical feature allows them to glide significant distances between trees.
The Pteromyini tribe includes over 50 species worldwide, with a high concentration found across East Asia. This region hosts a remarkable variety of these gliding mammals. Their specialized gliding ability allows them to conserve energy while traveling across their arboreal habitat. Most flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal.
Chinese species span a huge size range, from smaller dwarf flying squirrels to impressive giants in the genus Petaurista. The Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista alborufus) can approach one meter in total length, making it one of the largest known. Recent discoveries of new species, particularly in regions like Yunnan, underscore the endemic biodiversity of flying squirrels within China.
Geographic Distribution and Common Sightings
The chances of spotting a squirrel in China depend heavily on the geographic location and the type of squirrel. Tree squirrels are the species most commonly encountered by residents and tourists in urban centers. The adaptable Pallas’s squirrel is often seen in parks, gardens, and school campuses in major eastern and southern cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
These urban tree squirrels have grown accustomed to human presence. The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is another tree-dwelling species, but its distribution is restricted primarily to the northeastern and northwestern forested areas.
Visitors traveling to the western and northern grasslands will more likely observe ground-dwelling species. Marmots inhabit the high alpine pastures and plateaus, where they are visible during the day near their burrows. Because of their strictly nocturnal habits, flying squirrels are rarely seen by the average person, requiring specialized night-time observation in the dense forests of central and southern China.