Abstract
Habitat selection of the Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis) in subalpine forests (elev. 2,100–2,300 m) on Mt. Fuji, central Japan, was investigated by radio tracking of six individuals in three seasons. Among six vegetation types (Tsuga forests, Larix forests, Abies forests, Pinus stands, forest edges, and open areas), the most selected type was the Pinus stand-type in summer and autumn. In spring, Larix forests were selected, probably because their young leaves and under-stories provide a greater diversity of foods. Most individuals avoided Tsuga forest, forest edges, and open areas in any season. Pinus parviflora showed large variation in its cone size within trees. The greater the cone size, the larger the number of seeds per cone. Squirrels selected large cones for feeding.
