Squirrels of the World

68 Sciurus sanborni

Sciurus sanborni (Osgood, 1944)

Sanborn’s Squirrel

description: Sanborn’s squirrel has a uniform olive brown
dorsum, with a pale buff eye ring, mouth, and postauricular
patches. The venter is white to yellow to pale orange. The
tail is the same color as the dorsum, with black banding
sometimes evident in its slightly more grizzled appearance.

size: Both sexes—HB 152–175 mm; T 164–184 mm.

distribution: This species is found in the department of
Madre de Dios, Peru.

geographic variation: None.

conservation: IUCN status—data defi cient. Population
trend—no information. S. sanborni is classifi ed as vulnerable
within Peru.

habitat: Sanborn’s squirrels are found within a restricted
range in lowland Amazonian rainforest, at elevations of
300–580 m.

natural history: This species is diurnal. The ecology
and evolutionary relationships of S. sanborni are very

poorly known. Sanborn’s squirrel is considered a rare en-

demic in Peru. Due to its small size, this species is unlikely

to be hunted.

general references: J. A. Allen 1915; Eisenberg and Red-

ford 1999; Emmons and Feer 1990; Pacheco 2002; Pacheco,

Cadenillas, et al. 2009.

Sciurus spadiceus (Olfers, 1818)

Southern Amazon Red Squirrel

description: Southern Amazon red squirrels have a dark

chestnut red or rusty orange dorsal pelage mixed with

black. The ears are thinly haired and protrude above the

crown, which is often black or with a less-defi ned dark cap;

postauricular patches are absent or poorly defi ned. The feet

are dark red mixed with black or solid black. The ventral

pelage is pale orange, white, or yellowish, sharply contrast-

ing with the dorsal coloration. The tail is very bushy and

black at the base, and orange or rusty at the distal end. Mela-

nism occurs occasionally.

size: Both sexes—HB 240–290 mm; T 235–340 mm; Mass

570–660 g.

distribution: This species is found in Colombia, Ecuador,

Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia.

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

The range and subspecies in Colombia are uncertain.

Sciurus sanborni. Photo courtesy Tor Egil Hogsås.

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