Guayaquil squirrel

Appearance

Guayaquil squirrels are relatively heavily built squirrels, weighing around 470 grams . They measure from 18 to 32 centimetres in head-body length, and have a long tail, measuring 25 to 33 centimetres , in proportion to their body. The scientific name means "straw-coloured squirrel", but, in fact, their colour is highly variable. Past attempts to identify different subspecies on the basis of coat colour are, however, no longer recognised, since there was no clear distinction between them.

There are at least two morphs. The paler morph, which is more common in Peru, has pale grey fur grizzled with white over most of the body, a buff rump, a white or pale yellow patch on the back of the neck, and grey underparts. The darker morph, which is more common in the Ecuadorian lowlands, has grey fur on the forequarters, dull orange hindquarters, grizzled black and white shoulders, and grey underparts. However, even these two morphs are highly variable, with the patches on the shoulders or rump being absent, or the underparts being tawny or even reddish, in some individuals. A third, rarer, melanistic morph has also been reported, with black fur covering almost the entire body, except for a white patch on the collar, and occasional white spots on the back.

All morphs have black ears and a slender grey tail. The latter feature can be used to distinguish this species from the only other Ecuadorian tree-squirrel, the red-tailed squirrel.

Distribution

Guayaquil squirrels are found in the wild only in southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. A small population has also been introduced to parks in Lima. They inhabit a range of forest types, from dry to humid, along the western slopes of the Andes between 300 and 2,000 metres in elevation. They have also been reported from coffee plantations. There are no currently recognised subspecies.

Behavior

Like other squirrels, the Guayaquil squirrel feeds primarily on seeds, although it also eats flowers, mushrooms, and other plant material, and some insects. They are adaptable, and able to survive in cities, and also breed well in captivity. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their lives in the trees. They construct nests about 30 centimetres across from woven sticks, in tree branches over 5 metres above the ground. They live for up to seven years in captivity.

Habitat

Guayaquil squirrels are found in the wild only in southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. A small population has also been introduced to parks in Lima. They inhabit a range of forest types, from dry to humid, along the western slopes of the Andes between 300 and 2,000 metres in elevation. They have also been reported from coffee plantations. There are no currently recognised subspecies.