Squirrels of the World

Sciurus pucheranii 65

distribution: This species is found in the Mexican states
of San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, México
D.F., Puebla, and Veracruz.

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

S. o. oculatus—eastern portion of the range. This form has a
black median band along the back.
S. o. shawi—northern portion of the range. This subspecies
has a pale gray dorsum; the venter is pinkish cinnamon.
S. o. tolucae—western portion of the range. This form has a
median band of gray along the dorsum, with a grayish
white or sometimes buff y venter.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—no information. S. oculatus is considered endangered
by the Mexican government.

habitat: Peters’s squirrel inhabits pine (Pinus) and oak
(Quercus) forests in arid mountains. It can sometimes be ob-
served in deep arroyos in nearby valleys.

natural history: This species is diurnal. Little is known
about the ecology of Peters’s squirrels. They move well in
the canopy and clear gaps of greater than 2 m. The breeding
season is apparently prior to July and August. Peters’s squir-
rels are primarily herbivorous and are known to feed on
tree seeds and fruits, such as almonds, acorns, and wild fi gs.
S. oculatus is listed as a fragile species in México, in large part

because about 56 percent of its potential habitat has been

transformed.

general references: Best 1995e; Sánchez-Cordero et al.

2005.

Sciurus pucheranii (Fitzinger, 1867)

Andean Squirrel

description: Andean squirrels have a reddish brown dor-

sal pelage, sometimes with a dark longitudinal midline, and

a gray or yellow venter. The dorsal and ventral hairs of the

tail are black with white tips and gray to black with white

tips, respectively. Some individuals have a patch of black fur

on the posterior portion of the crown. The body fur is soft

and thick, and the ears are sparsely furred.

size: Both sexes—HB 140–184 mm; T 119–160 mm; Mass

100–146 g.

distribution: This species is found in the Colombian

Andes.

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

S. p. pucheranii—the type specimen is from near the city of

Bogotá, and this subspecies is found in the eastern Andes