The body size of the side-striped rock squirrel is similar to that of the rock squirrel. It lives in rocky mountainous areas. It lives in camps, but is also good at climbing trees. It is often active during the day, agile, and builds nests in the cracks of rocks. It feeds on nuts and seeds, and can steal crops such as grains, which is harmful to agriculture and forestry. In North China, the cubs can leave the nest and live independently in May and June, which shows that the mother mates in March and April and gives birth in April and May.
Distributed in western Yunnan and northwestern Yunnan east of the Lancang River in Yunnan Province, as well as the southern edge of Sichuan, it is an endangered species. Winter fur can be used as decorative leather. After the bones are air-dried, they have the function of promoting blood circulation and dispelling wind, and have certain medicinal value.
Listed in the China Red List of Biodiversity - Vertebrate Volume, the assessment level is Vulnerable (VU)