Peters's squirrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peters's squirrel |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sciurus
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| Species: |
oculatus
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| Subspecies | |
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| Peters's squirrel's range | |
Peters's squirrel (Sciurus oculatus) is a type of tree squirrel that lives only in Mexico. It was first discovered by a German explorer named Wilhelm Peters in 1863. There are three different kinds, or subspecies, of Peters's squirrel. It's a common animal, so experts say it's not in danger of disappearing.
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About Peters's Squirrel
Peters's squirrel is a large squirrel that mostly lives in trees. Its body, from head to tail, can be about 508 to 560 mm (20 to 22 in) long. Its tail adds another 260 mm (10 in) to its length. These squirrels usually weigh between 550 to 750 g (19 to 26 oz).
What Does It Look Like?
The color of Peters's squirrel can be a bit different depending on where it lives. Generally, its back is grey, with hairs that are dark brown or black at the bottom. Its belly is white or cream colored. The top of its tail looks blackish, while the underside is dark with white tips on the hairs.
A cool feature is the pale ring of skin around its eyes. Also, a special way to identify this squirrel is by its teeth. It has one less upper premolar tooth than other squirrels that are related to it.
Where Peters's Squirrels Live
This squirrel is found only in Mexico. You can find it in several Mexican states, including Guanajuato, Hidalgo, México State, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz.
Their Home Environment
Peters's squirrels like to live in pine and oak forests. They are found in places that are quite high up, usually between 1,500 and 3,600 m (4,900 and 11,800 ft) above sea level. They also live on dry mountainsides and in valleys where small streams, called arroyos, flow.
Life of a Peters's Squirrel
Peters's squirrels are active during the day, which means they are diurnal. They usually live alone. You might see them often in the summer, but they are harder to spot during the winter months.
What Do They Eat?
These squirrels mainly eat acorns and the seeds from pine trees. But they also enjoy other fruits and seeds, like wild figs and plums.
Reproduction and Social Life
The mating season for Peters's squirrels seems to happen in the summer. During this time, you might see as many as twenty squirrels gathered in one tree! However, scientists don't know much about how they raise their young. In some areas, Peters's squirrels live near other squirrel species, like the Mexican gray squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster) and the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans).
Conservation Status
Peters's squirrel lives in a wide area and is often seen in the summer. There are no big threats that worry experts about this species. It also lives in several protected areas. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has said that its conservation status is of "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of becoming extinct.
