Collie's squirrel
{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Sciurus colliaei 4164028.jpg
| image_caption = In Sinaloa, Mexico
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Sciurus
| species = colliaei
| authority = Richardson, 1839{{cite book|last1=Thorington|first1=R.W. Jr.|last2=Hoffmann|first2=R.S.|year=2005|pages=754–818|editor1-last=Wilson|editor1-first=D.E.|editor2-last=Reeder|editor2-first=D.M|url=http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3|chapter=Sciurus (Sciurus) colliaei|chapter-url=https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?id=12400110|title=Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference|edition=3rd|publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=0-8018-8221-4|oclc=26158608}}
| range_map = Sciurus colliaei range map.svg
| range_map_caption = Collie's squirrel range
}}
Collie's squirrel (Sciurus colliaei) is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus endemic to Mexico.
Distribution
The Collie's squirrel is native to the western coast of Mexico, including the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Colima.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}} The species inhabits areas of thick tropical and subtropical vegetation, especially in Jalisco. It is also known to occupy subtropical canyons in the northern part of its range.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}}
Description
Sometimes referred to as a "gray squirrel" in Mexico, the Collie's squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel with a gray coat. The back (dorsum) is usually a darker gray with a yellowish wash down to the tail's base. The species sides are usually a light gray and the underside is typically white, although it can sometimes be a light orange color. The top of the tail, except for the base, is black with a wash of white. The underside of the tail is gray and the sides are white.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}}
Recorded measurements of the Collie's squirrel show that female specimens average 243.4 mm from head to the base of the tail, with a tail length of 260.4 mm. Males average 248.6 mm from head to the base of the tail, with a tail length of 243.2 mm. Females were recorded as weighing 440.8 g, while males averaged 335.2 g.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}}
Behaviour
The Collie's squirrel lives chiefly in trees and is diurnal, most active just after sunrise and before sunset. They have been reported to nest on outer tree branches and within tree trunks' cavities, as well as abandoned termite nests.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}} It is believed that the species breed in March and April.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}}
= Diet =
Collie's squirrels have a specialized diet of the fruits and nuts of palms, figs, and possibly oaks.{{Cite book|title=Squirrels of the world|date=2012|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|others=Thorington, Richard W.|isbn=9781421408682|location=Baltimore|oclc=821734054}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{S. Sciurinae1 nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1769125}}
Category:Endemic mammals of Mexico
Category:Mammals described in 1839