Sciurus flammafer, Thomas, 1904
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6833172 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFE0-ED1D-FAFF-FA0FF6E8FC27 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Sciurus flammafer |
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Fiery Squirrel
French: Ecureuil du Venezuela / German: Venezuela-Hérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla fogosa
Taxonomy. Sciurus flammifer Thomas, 1904 View in CoL ,
“Venezuela, Bolivar, Caura Valley, La
Union.”
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. Venezuela S of the Orinoco River, extending from Colombian border to Ciudad Bolivar. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 272-303 mm, tail 242-310 mm; weight 550-625 g. The Fiery Squirrel has variable dorsal pelage from complete melanism to partial albinism. Dorsal pelage is usually grizzled black to brown, suffused with yellow. Head, ears, haunches, and feet have rufous tinge. Cheeks and chin are washed with yellow to orangish that transition to yellow, cream, or white venter, often demarcated from dorsal color by orange lateral line. Tail is black at base and transitions to orange to fiery orange red.
Habitat. Tropical lowlands, palm groves, and semideciduous and evergreen forests. The Fiery Squirrel is rarely found in secondary or disturbed forests.
Food and Feeding. The Fiery Squirrel is herbivorous and feeds heavily on tree seeds, nuts, and fruits, especially from palms.
Breeding. There is no information available for this species.
Activity patterns. Fiery Squirrels are diurnal and active throughout the year.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Fiery Squirrel nests in round dreys constructed of leaves and twigs generally high in the canopy. It is strongly arboreal and is difficult to observe as it forages, which is typically high in canopies oflarge trees with dense cover and often in low humid marshy palm groves.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Population trend of the Fiery Squirrel is unknown. Lack of information on ecology, natural history, or threats likely impedes conservation and managementefforts; it might be vulnerable to deforestation. This large-bodied squirrel is hunted occasionally for bushmeat.
Bibliography. Allen (1915b), Eisenberg & Redford (1999), Linares (1998), Thorington et al. (2012).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
