Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Variegated squirrel

Mammals

The variegated squirrel, Sciurus variegatoides, is a medium-sized tree squirrel found from southern Mexico through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to Panama. Fifteen subspecies are recognised and individuals vary widely in colour, from dark brown to yellowish grey above with cinnamon underparts. It weighs about 500 grams and has a bushy tail as long as its body. It lives mainly in lowlands, in dry deciduous and evergreen forest, secondary growth and plantations, and it can become a crop pest. It is diurnal, nests in tree holes or leaf nests, and feeds mainly on seeds, with some fruit, insects and nestlings. It is common, with a steady population and a least concern rating from the IUCN. Pet squirrels in Germany carried a bornavirus linked to three human deaths.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Granivore 1
Population Trend
Stable 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 1
Threats
Other or No Known Threats 1
Relationship to People
Kept as Pets 1
Relationship to People
Agricultural or Structural Pest 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Conservation Status
Least Concern 1
Activity Pattern
Diurnal 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Sciuridae, Taxa
Source GBIF: GBIF Backbone species match: Sciurus variegatoides

In Biome

Tropical Dry Forest, Biomes
Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Costa Rica

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
El Salvador

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Guatemala

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Honduras

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Mexico

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Nicaragua

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Panama

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
Sources
1. Variegated squirrel (Wikipedia)
  • Status
    has rated its conservation status as "least concern"
  • Status, population trend
    the population seems steady
  • Status, threats
    No particular threats have been identified
  • Ecology
    This squirrel is primarily a seed-eater
  • Ecology, activity pattern
    The species is diurnal
  • Distribution and habitat
    it can become a crop pest
  • Lead
    Variegated squirrels kept as pets in Germany
  • Distribution and habitat, living or extinct
    This squirrel is native to Central America
  • Distribution and habitat, system
    Habitats in which it occurs include both dry deciduous forest and evergreen forest
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives
    its range extending from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
View the Source
GBIF: GBIF Backbone species match: Sciurus variegatoides
GBIFChild Taxon Of: Sciuridae, Species match, family
Quote, Child Taxon Of: Sciuridae, Species match, family
"family": "Sciuridae"
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.