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).
I found a red squirrel in the forest of Hokkaido.
Red squirrels gather nuts to prepare for winter.
Hokkaido squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis), a subspecies of the red squirrel found in Hokkaido. キタリス is the broader species name.
Katakana spelling is standard for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly used in scientific or literary contexts.
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.