noun
Hokkaido squirrel; Ezo red squirrel
A subspecies of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) native to Hokkaido. The name is a specific zoological term, but it is also used in everyday contexts when referring to this animal.
北海道の森でエゾリスを見つけた。
I spotted a Hokkaido squirrel in a forest in Hokkaido.
エゾリスは冬に備えて木の実を蓄える。
The Hokkaido squirrel stores nuts in preparation for winter.
Compound of 蝦夷 (Ezo, old name for Hokkaido) and 栗鼠 (squirrel). The katakana spelling エゾリス is the standard modern form.