noun
red squirrel; Eurasian red squirrel
Refers specifically to Sciurus vulgaris, the red squirrel native to Eurasia. Not to be confused with the North American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).
北海道の森でキタリスを見つけた。
I found a red squirrel in the forest of Hokkaido.
キタリスは木の実を集めて冬に備える。
Red squirrels gather nuts to prepare for winter.
Compound of 北 (kita, 'north') and 栗鼠 (risu, 'squirrel'), referring to the northern distribution of this species. The katakana spelling キタリス is standard in modern Japanese.