The Junín red squirrel (''Sciurus pyrrhinus'') is a species of

squirrel Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels (including chipmunks and prairie dogs, among others), and flying squirrels. Squ ...

from Peru and Ecuador.

Description

The Junín red squirrel is a relatively large tree squirrel, having a head-body length of about . The majority of the body is covered in dark red fur, grizzled with black, fading to a chestnut brown on the tail, which is slightly shorter than the combined head and body. The underparts vary in colour between individuals, being white, red, or some shade in between. The whiskers and the edges of the ears are black.

Distribution and biology

The squirrel is known to inhabit the eastern slopes of the Andes in central Peru, from Huánuco in the north to Ayacuchco and

Cusco Cusco, often spelled Cuzco (; qu, Qusqu ()), is a city in Southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region and of the Cusco Province. The city is the list of cities in Peru, seventh m ...

in the south, although it may also live further east, perhaps as far as the

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

n border, and further north, with one specimen collected in 1920 known from Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador. Within this region it inhabits both lowland

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

s and higher, montane, forests. Little is known about the squirrel's biology and behaviour. They are known to be diurnal and arboreal, and are often seen in small groups, suggesting that they are not strongly territorial. Lactating females, presumably nursing young, have been identified in January. They are thought to be relatively numerous, and to tolerate human activity such as logging and hunting better than some other squirrels, but their limited range has led to them being classified as "Vulnerable" by the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Junin red squirrel Sciurus Mammals of Ecuador Mammals of Peru Mammals described in 1898 Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas Taxonomy articles created by Polbot