Sciurus deppei 49squirrel is allopatric with S. aberti and S. nayaritensis where
their ranges overlap in the north (Sonora), but sympatric
with S. aureogaster and S. nayaritensis throughout other parts
of the range. Three species of lice (Enderleinellus mexicanus,
E. pratti, and Neohaematopinus sciurinus) and no endopara-
sites are reported from Collie’s squirrel.
general references: Best 1995b; de Grammont et al.
2008; Herrerías-Diego et al. 2008; Peterson et al. 1999.
Sciurus deppei Peters, 1863
Deppe’s Squirrel
description: A small member of the genus, Deppe’s squir-
rel shows considerable individual variation in color, from a
gray to yellowish brown or rust-colored brown. The legs are
dark gray or rust colored. The dorsal surface of the tail is
black, interspersed with white hair. The ventral surface of
the tail is yellowish orange to rust colored. The hairs on the
tip of the tail are white. The face is gray. This species has
two upper premolars. Its range overlaps with that of at least
seven other species of Sciurus (S. alleni, S. aureogaster, S. gra-
natensis, S. oculatus, S. richmondi, S. variegatoides, and S. yu ca-
tanensis). All of these, except S. richmondi, are larger than
S deppei. S. richmondi is about the same size, but it has one
upper premolar.
size: Female—HB 210.2 mm; T 169.4 mm; Mass 287.3 g.
Male—HB 207.2 mm; T 176.0 mm; Mass 268.3 g.
Sex not stated—HB 197.4 mm; T 181.7 mm; Mass 203.3 g.distribution: Deppe’s squirrel ranges from the eastern
coast of México—in the states of Tamaulipas through Chia-
pas and the Yucatán Peninsula—to northwestern Costa
Rica. The range of S. deppei overlaps with that of S. alleni, S.
aureogaster, S. granatensis, S. oculatus, S. richmondi, S. variega-
toides, and S. yucatanensis.geographic variation: Five subspecies are recognized.S. d. deppei—northern Veracruz (México) to western Hondu-
ras. See description above.
S. d. matagalpae—western Honduras, and across Nicaragua.
This form may be diff erentiated by the yellowish brown
color of the upperparts and yellow underparts.
S. d. miravallensis—southern terminus of the species’ range
in Costa Rica. The underparts are gray and slightly
washed with ochraceous orange. The upperparts, in-
cluding the legs and feet, are dark grizzled yellowish
brown, slightly darker along the middle and top of the
head. The tail has a white border.
S. d. negligens—Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, and
northern Veracruz (México). This subspecies is distin-
guished from S. d. deppei by its longer ears, a more gray
brown pelage on its upperparts, and a lighter ventral
pelage.
S. d. vivax—Yucatán Peninsula. In comparison with S. d. dep-
pei, S. d. vivax has a pale rusty dorsal pelage, and a larger
rostrum.conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—stable.habitat: Deppe’s squirrel is a habitat generalist. This spe-
cies is typically associated with dense vegetation in damp
tropical forests, usually in lowland areas at elevations be-
tween 200 and 1500 m. However, it is reported to occur as
high as 3000 m in some parts of its range (e.g., Guatemala).
It is also found in cloud forests, drier oak (Quercus) wood-
lands, pine-oak (Pinus, Quercus) forests throughout México,
dry subtropical forests, and lowland riparian zones. It ap-
pears to tolerate some level of forest loss, but not severe
clearing.natural history: Deppe’s squirrel is primarily granivo-
rous and frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, nuts,
and seeds across its range, including palm nuts, acorns, and