Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219666
Red-tailed Squirrel
Sciurus granatensisAlso known as Neotropical Red Squirrel, Tropical Red Squirrel
Red-tailed squirrels are conspicuous, vocal arboreal rodents that dart through the rainforest canopy, chattering loudly to announce territories or alarm calls. They play an essential ecological role as seed dispersers and seed predators across Neotropical forests, handling heavily armored palm nuts with their powerful incisors. Highly adaptable, they thrive in primary rainforests, secondary growth, and shade-coffee plantations, often active from dawn until dusk.
ArborealDiurnalTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Palm Nuts
- Wild Figs
- Tree Bark and Fungi
Predators
- Tayra
- Ocelot
- Ornate Hawk-Eagle
ThreatsDeforestation and forest fragmentation, although populations remain adaptable and widespread
HabitatsTropical lowland and montane rainforests, cloud forests, dry deciduous forests, and cultivated plantations
Life span5–8 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilySciuridae
- GenusSciurus
- SpeciesSciurus granatensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Can deliver a painful bite if cornered or handled; observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Listening: Listen for rapid, bird-like chucking alarm calls accompanied by vigorous tail-flicking.
- Scanning the canopy: Look along mid-canopy tree limbs and palm fronds in the early morning when foraging activity peaks.
- Respecting wildlife: Do not feed or attempt to touch habituated individuals near forest lodges or park trails.
Predator (c) Christoph Moning, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christoph Moning · cc-by
Food Source (c) Forest and Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Hans Hillewaert, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Urban Dwellers
Red-tailed Squirrel is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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