| Peters's squirrel | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Sciurus |
| Species: | S. oculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sciurus oculatus Peters, 1863 | |
| Subspecies[2] | |
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| Peters's squirrel's range | |
Peters's squirrel (Sciurus oculatus) is atree squirrel in the genusSciurusendemic toMexico. It wasfirst described by the German naturalist and explorerWilhelm Peters in 1863. Three subspecies are recognised. It is a common species, and theIUCN has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Peters's squirrel is a large, mainly arboreal squirrel. The head-and-body length is 510 to 560 mm (20 to 22 in) with a tail of about 260 mm (10 in), and a weight of around 550 to 750 g (19 to 26 oz). The colouring varies somewhat between the subspecies but it is generally grey dorsally, the hairs having dark brown or black bases, and white or cream ventrally. The upper part of the tail is blackish while the underside is dark with white tips to the hairs. There is a pale ring of skin around the eyes, and an important identifying feature is thedentition, with one fewer upperpremolars than other related species.[3]
This squirrel isendemic to Mexico where it is found in the provinces ofGuanajuato,Hidalgo,México State,Puebla,Querétaro,San Luis Potosí andVeracruz. It inhabitspine andoak forests, at altitudes between about 1,500 and 3,600 m (4,900 and 11,800 ft). It is also found on arid mountainsides and in valleys witharroyos.[1]
The species is diurnal and usually lives a solitary life. During the summer these squirrels are frequently sighted, but not during the winter. The diet mainly consists ofacorns and the seeds of pines, but other fruits and seeds are also eaten including wildfigs andplums. The mating season seems to take place in summer and at this time, up to twenty individuals may accumulate in one tree, but little is known of their breeding behaviour. In parts of their range, they come into contact with theMexican gray squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster) and thesouthern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans).[3]
Peters's squirrel has a wide range and is commonly seen in summer. No particular threats have been identified and it is present in a number of protected areas, so theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
