Red-tailed squirrel facts for kids
The red-tailed squirrel (Sciurus granatensis) is a type of tree squirrel found in forests from southern Central America to northern South America. It's known for its colorful fur, which can look very different from one squirrel to another!
Quick facts for kids Red-tailed squirrel |
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| S. g. chrysuros, Caldas, Colombia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sciurus
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| Species: |
granatensis
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| Distribution of the red-tailed squirrel | |
| Synonyms | |
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Notosciurus granatensis |
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Contents
Where They Live
Red-tailed squirrels live in many countries. You can find them in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. They also live on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago and Margarita.
Sometimes, these squirrels have been brought to new places. For example, a small group escaped from a zoo in Havana, Cuba. They now live near the Rio Almendares there.
Their Home
These squirrels can live in many different kinds of forests. They are found from sea level up to about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) high in the mountains. You might even spot them in picnic areas!
How Scientists Classify Them
Scientists group living things to understand them better. The red-tailed squirrel is usually placed in the Sciurus group, which includes many common squirrels.
In 2015, some scientists suggested putting it in a different group called Notosciurus. However, most experts still consider it a member of the Sciurus group. This shows how science is always learning new things!
Their Many Colors
Red-tailed squirrels are famous for their amazing variety of fur colors. They can look very different even within the same area! Because of this, scientists have given many different names to what they thought were separate types of squirrels over the years.
Today, scientists usually group them into six main types based on where they live. These groups have different patterns and shades of brown, red, orange, and sometimes black fur. Some might have bright patches behind their ears, while others do not. Their tails can also have different colors and patterns. This wide range of colors helps them blend into their different forest homes.
Relatives and Similar Squirrels
The red-tailed squirrel has close relatives in South America. One is the Andean squirrel (Sciurus pucheranii). The red-tailed squirrel is usually bigger than the Andean squirrel. However, their sizes can be similar in some places.
These two squirrels are special because they are the only ones in South America with three pairs of teats. They also often have a patch of lighter, usually orange, fur behind their ears.
Another relative is Richmond's squirrel (Sciurus richmondi) from Nicaragua. This squirrel is a bit smaller and has similar colors to some red-tailed squirrels, but its colors are often not as bright. Scientists think Richmond's squirrel might actually be the same species as the red-tailed squirrel.
Keeping Them Safe
The red-tailed squirrel is a common animal. Its population is stable, meaning there are plenty of them. They live in a very large area and can adapt to different places, even those changed by humans. Because of this, scientists do not think they are currently in danger.
However, if scientists decide to split the red-tailed squirrel into several different species, some of those new species might be considered threatened.
As mentioned, a small group of these squirrels lives in Cuba, where they are not native. So far, there have been no reports of them causing harm to the local animals there.
