The tree squirrels, locally called “bising”, are common in many forested parts of the Province of Palawan. The squirrel's noisy chattering in the early mornings can make one get up and see those jerky movements. Squirrels jump from one branch to another, finding their precious meal.

Squirrels can be found in many parts of mainland Palawan. The one in the picture below was photographed in Apulit Island Resort (once the well-known Club Noah). The squirrel was observed feeding on the flowers of a gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) plant, a rather unusual food source for the squirrel.

Morphological Characteristics

The above squirrel is the known as the Palawan Tree Squirrel. The Palawan Tree Squirrel (Callosciurus juvencus) can attain lengths of about 9 inches. Its ears are small and has a grayish brown, woolly fur and a whitish underbelly but the bushy tail is brownish red. The Palawan Tree Squirrel has small ears and the head resembles that of a rat.

Biology and Habitat

Squirrels generally feed on native acorns or nuts in the lowland forests. Living near inhabited regions the squirrels eventually feed on agricultural products like corn and coconuts such that they become pests. The Palawan tree squirrels scamper among tree branches but can often be seen constructing nests in the axil of the leaves or feeding on coconut trees.

   The Palawan tree squirrel can also be found in secondary growth forests, especially along the forest margins adjacent to open areas such as those due to slash-and-burn farming. Once disturbed while feeding, Palawan tree squirrels scamper fast among the branches or on the ground and hide themselves in rotting logs or trunks, waiting for opportunities to leap back to their food. If they are able to escape humans, the squirrels may not be able to evade swooping hawks.

Picture of a squirrel I saw in a palm watching me as I took quick shots.

Distribution

The Palawan tree squirrel is usually found in the northern regions of Palawan but can also be found in the forested areas of central as well as southern Palawan.

Status

The Palawan tree squirrel is endemic and common in Palawan. They are usually hunted by farmers either as secondary source of food or to control the damage they cause to the coconut groves. Their natural habitat are increasingly reduced as more migrants settle in the hinterlands of Palawan.

© 2012 August 18 Patrick A. Regoniel