About Callosciurus orestes (Thomas, 1895)
The Borneo black-banded squirrel, with the scientific name Callosciurus orestes (Thomas, 1895), is a rodent species that belongs to the Sciuridae family. This species is endemic to northern Borneo. It occurs at middle elevations in northern Borneo, and all its confirmed localities are montane sites in northern Borneo. It has been recorded from Mount Dulit at elevations above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), and reported from similar elevations at Usun Apau, the Kelabit Highlands, and the upper Sungai Terusan, all in northern Sarawak. It has also been recorded from Mount Kinabalu at 1,000–1,700 metres (3,300–5,600 ft) and Mount Trusmadi at about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in Sabah. This squirrel appears to be restricted to lower montane forest and upper dipterocarp forest.
In terms of physical description, its upper body is finely speckled brown. It has a pale buffy spot behind each ear, its underside is grey that sometimes has a reddish tinge, and it has a black and buffy-white stripe along its side. Callosciurus orestes is diurnal, and it is active in small to medium-sized trees. Recent examination of individuals from Mount Kinabalu found fruit and black ants in their guts.
