VOL.204 JUNE 2025
JAPAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER
[Native Creatures of Japan] Japanese Squirrel
The Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis), measuring around 16 to 22 cm in body length, has a long tail roughly the same length as its body. It lives in trees, using its tail for balance while moving and as a parachute when jumping from tree to tree. One distinguishing feature not found in non-native squirrel species is the white fur around its eyes, called the eye ring. Because it does not spend the winter sleeping, the Japanese squirrel prepares for winter by digging holes in tree branches or the ground to hide food such as nuts and seeds—a behavior known as “caching.” However, it does not always remember the locations of all its hidden food, and forgotten seeds often sprout and grow. In this way, the squirrel unknowingly plays a role in nurturing the forest.
Photo: PIXTA