Types of squirrels

The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) inhabits coniferous and deciduous forests in Europe and Asia, from sea level to 2,000 meters. If you are from Spain, you probably want to know what types of squirrels are there in Spain? This species is one of them, it is characterized by having a long tail and reddish fur with a white belly and ears with winter tufts. It feeds mainly on seeds, fruits and occasionally eggs.

The red-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia, also adapting to cultivated and urban areas, even in countries where it was introduced. It has a medium body, long and hairy tail, brown dorsal fur with a reddish belly. It feeds mainly on leaves, seeds, fruits and flowers.

The Bolivian squirrel (Sciurus ignitus) is distributed in Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and northwest Argentina, inhabiting montane forests between 300 and 2,700 m. It has an olive-brown body with a reddish belly, a long frosty tail and a weight between 180–260 g. It is diurnal, arboreal and solitary, feeding on nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi and insects.

The Moorish squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus) is native to northwest Africa and was introduced to Fuerteventura, where it spread widely. It is one of the two species of squirrels that we find in Spain. It lives in stony areas, walls and crops up to 800 m. It has a brown body with black and white bands, a reddish head and a dense tail. It is omnivorous, consuming fruits, seeds and invertebrates.

The missionary gray squirrel (Guerlinguetus brasiliensis) is distributed from Venezuela to Brazil and northeastern Argentina, inhabiting tropical, subtropical and gallery forests. It has a small body, olive fur with a gray belly and a long leafy tail. It is arboreal, diurnal and solitary, feeding on seeds, fruits, insects and eggs.

The Junín red squirrel (Sciurus pyrrhinus) is endemic to Peru and extends to Ecuador, inhabiting tropical and montane forests between 600 and 2,500 m. It has a dark reddish body with a variable belly and a bicolor tail. It is arboreal, diurnal and group, feeding on fruits, seeds and insects.

The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is distributed in the eastern United States and Canada, introduced in Europe and Mexico. It inhabits mature forests, parks and urban areas. It has gray fur with melanistic or albino variations and a bushy tail. It is omnivorous and stores seeds.

The Gambian sun squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus) is distributed in savannahs and tropical forests of Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia. It is arboreal, with a slender body, with gray or honey fur and a white belly. It feeds on fruits, seeds, insects and eggs. Their reproduction is seasonal, with small litters of up to five offspring.

The Siberian flying squirrelPteromys volans) is distributed from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific, inhabiting mixed forests and taiga with old trees. It has a gray body, large eyes and a patagio that allows it to glide between trees. It is nocturnal, feeding on leaves, seeds and berries.

You may also be interested in this post about Flying Squirrels.

The Ponytailed Squirrel (Sundasciurus hippurus) is distributed in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and the Rhio Archipelago, inhabiting primary and secondary tropical forests up to .1500 m. It has a reddish-brown body with a gray head and legs, and a dark, bushy tail. It is diurnal, arboreal, and feeds on seeds, fruits and insects.

The tricolor squirrel (Callosciurus Notatus) lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, from tropical forests and mangroves to urban parks. It has an olive-brown back, a reddish belly and black and white stripes on the sides. It is arboreal, diurnal and omnivorous, consuming fruits, seeds and insects.

The Sri Lankan giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura) is distributed in Sri Lanka and southern India, inhabiting tropical forests and arboreal jungles. It has a body of 25–45 cm, tail equal or longer, variable fur with a light belly and small ears with tufts. It is a frugivore and occasional insectivore.

The giant black squirrelBicolor Ratufa) is distributed in forests of southern and southeastern Asia, from Nepal and China to Indonesia, inhabiting densely forested areas up to 2,000 m. It measures up to 118 cm with dark fur and a light belly. It is arboreal, diurnal and solitary, feeding on seeds, fruits and insects.

Finlayson’s squirrelCallosciurus finlaysonii) inhabits Indochina, including Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as introduced populations in Italy and Singapore. It lives in jungles, forests and plantations. It measures 21–22 cm with a tail up to 24 cm, variable coat and weight close to 250 g. It feeds on fruits, seeds and bark.

The arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) inhabits Alaska, Canada and Siberia in tundras and grasslands, where it digs burrows. It is stocky, 332–495 mm, with mottled brown fur and a light belly. It feeds on plants, fungi, invertebrates and small vertebrates.

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