Sciurus pyrrhinus (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Abstract

Sciurus pyrrhinus O. Thomas, 1898 is a rodent commonly called the Junín red squirrel or ardilla rojiza. This large-bodied, arboreal species is characterized by a rufous dorsum and an orange tail, and is 1 of 28 species in the genus Sciurus. Endemic to Peru, S. pyrrhinus is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes between 600 and 1,500 m above sea level, spanning rain forest and montane forest habitat. Described as common within its limited distribution, the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment classifies S. pyrrhinus as “Vulnerable” and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources considers it “Data Deficient.”