Zoo Stock Species and the Red List

Zoo Stock

This indicates that the species is included in the Second Zoo Stock Plan, which was formulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2018. The plan sets goals for the next 10 years in three areas: "species conservation," "contribution to wildlife conservation," and "environmental education and conservation awareness." 124 animal species are included.

What is the Red List?

Based on scientific research, this is a list of wildlife classified by rank (category) indicating the degree of risk of extinction.
Livng Things Encyclopedia shows the categories (mainland and islands) assessed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) at the global level, the Ministry of the Environment for Japan, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Tokyo.

The higher the category in each table, the higher the risk of extinction, and CR, EN, and VU are the three categories known as "endangered species." In Tokyo, species that are not at the NT (near threatened) level but are relatively rare are considered "species of concern."

IUCN categories
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	—
CR	Serious crisis
EN	crisis
VU	emergency
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Low Concern
DD	Data shortage
LP	—

Japan (Ministry of the Environment) Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	—
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Tokyo Category
EX	extinction
EW	Extinction in the wild
CR+EN	Endangered species
CR	Critically Endangered
EN	Endangered species
VU	Endangered species
NT	Near Threatened
LC・○	Unranked
DD	Lack of information
LP	Endangered local population

Creatures at Inokashira Park Zoo

Japanese Squirrel
Sciurus lis

This species is endemic to Japan and lives in the forests of Honshu and Shikoku. It was once found in Kyushu as well, but there have been no reliable records of it in recent years, and it is at risk of extinction. It does not hibernate and is active all year round. To ensure food for the winter, it engages in a behavior known as "food hoarding," where it buries food in the ground and stores it there. Its fur changes with the seasons; in summer it is reddish-brown, and in winter it is grayish-brown with long fur growing on the tips of its ears.

classification	Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae
English name	Japanese Squirrel
distribution	Japan (Honshu, Shikoku)
Residence	forest
Size	Body length: Approximately 20 cm Tail length: about 15 cm
food	Nuts such as walnuts, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, insects and other small animals
Red List	IUCN: LC (Least Concern) Japan: LP (Local Population at Risk of Extinction) Tokyo: ○ (not ranked)

Inokashira Park Zoo Exhibition Area

Inokashira Park Zoo-Squirrel Trail

What are you doing with your tail?

They have long, fluffy tails. When they're sitting still, they tuck it in at their backs. However, when they're exercising, they stretch it out straight behind them. By using their tails to keep themselves balanced, they can climb up and down trees with ease.

Find the shell of a walnut

If you see a walnut shell split in two on the ground, it means that a squirrel has cracked it open and eaten the inside. It goes all the way around, gnawing on it with its teeth and splitting it neatly in two.

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