Japanese Squirrelニホンリス

Sciurus lisLC— Least Concern

The Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis) is a small tree squirrel endemic to Japan, found on Honshu, Shikoku, and Awaji Island, with its Kyushu population believed extinct. It feeds mainly on walnuts and conifer seeds, using a specialized technique to crack open tough walnut shells, and has even been observed eating toxic fly agaric mushrooms without apparent harm. Hunting has been illegal since 1994, and it is classified as Least Concern.

Japanese Squirrel (reference photo)
Illustration: DataBase Center for Life Science (DBCLS) / CC BY 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Rodentia / Sciuridae Source
Distribution
Endemic to Japan, found on Honshu, Shikoku, and Awaji Island; the Kyushu population is believed to be already extinct. Source

Did You Know?

  • It has a specialized technique for opening walnut shells by chewing precisely along the seam. Source
  • It has been observed habitually eating the toxic fly agaric mushroom, though how it detoxifies the poison remains unknown. Source
  • Hunting of this species has been illegal since 1994. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

京都市動物園 (Kyoutoshi Doubutsuen)KyotoOpened in 1903

京都市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

高知県立のいち動物公園 (Kouchi Kenritsu Noichi Doubutsu Kouen)Kochi土佐くろしお鉄道ごめん・なはり線「のいち駅」から徒歩20分またはレンタサイクル13分。

高知県立のいち動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

埼玉県こども動物自然公園 (Saitamakenkodomodoubutsu Shizen Kouen)SaitamaOpened in 1980

埼玉県こども動物自然公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

2

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLCに分類されていますが、森林環境の変化は地域個体群に影響します。

Habitat

本州、四国、九州の落葉広葉樹林や針広混交林に暮らします。

Threats

  • 森林の分断と減少
  • 外来種との競合

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 森林環境の保全
  • 動物園での飼育展示と生態教育

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Where does the Japanese squirrel live?
It is endemic to Japan, found on Honshu, Shikoku, and Awaji Island; it is thought to have already gone extinct on Kyushu. Source
What is unusual about its diet?
It has been observed regularly eating the toxic fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) without apparent ill effects, though scientists don't yet understand how it avoids poisoning. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org