They are found mainly in Southeast Asia, though a few species also occur in Nepal, northeastern India, Bangladesh and southern China.

[2][3] Most are rather dull olive-brown to gray and several have a pale and dark stripe on their side, however a few are very colorful.

[2] The Pallas's squirrel may have an unremarkable olive-gray back, while its belly is often –but not always– bright red.

[4] The "typical" subspecies of Prevost's squirrels have black backs, white sides, and red-brown undersides.

The Finlayson's squirrel occurs in numerous varieties, three of which are overall red-brown, overall black, or pure white.