Central American dwarf squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Central American dwarf squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Microsciurus
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| Species: |
alfari
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| Central American dwarf squirrel range | |
The Central American dwarf squirrel, also called Alfaro's pygmy squirrel, (Microsciurus alfari) is a small tree squirrel. You can find it in countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. Even though these squirrels are rarely seen, they are not considered endangered. This might mean there are more of them than we know!
What Does the Central American Dwarf Squirrel Look Like?
Central American dwarf squirrels are not as tiny as their name might make you think. They are actually similar in size to the Red Squirrel or Gray Squirrel. Their body is about 15 cm (5.9 inches) long, and their tail adds another 12 cm (4.7 inches).
Most of their body is a dark, olive-green and brown color. Their head is usually a reddish-brown. The fur on the underside of their heads and legs can be yellowish-grey or a light brownish-grey.
Where Do These Squirrels Live?
Central American dwarf squirrels live in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. They love living in tropical rainforests. They especially like parts of the forest that are very dense, with lots of vines growing low to the ground. These vines help them quickly get down to the forest floor and escape from predators if they need to.
How Do Central American Dwarf Squirrels Live?
These squirrels are usually very shy and prefer to be alone. They are mostly active during the day (this is called diurnal). However, some people have seen them at night, which suggests they might also be active after dark sometimes.
It's hard to spot these squirrels because they are small, have dull colors that help them blend in, and move very quickly. Their diet is probably similar to other plant-eating animals. They likely eat seeds, grains, and nuts. They are known to eat nuts from the ivory-nut palm tree, which is a tree they often live in.
