Guayaquil squirrel
Local area
Sciurus stramineus is found in South America from southwestern Ecuador to northern Peru, including the Noroeste Biosphere Reserve. These squirrels are considered rare in Peru since they only live in the northern part of the country. They are found along the Gulf of Guayaquil and along the Andean coast to Cajamarca. The Andean section has elevations from sea level to 2000 m. They are the only flying squirrel in the region except in northern Guayaquil, Ecuador, where they are shared with Sciurus granatensis (red squirrel). Sciurus stramineus was introduced to Lima, Peru, and was found living freely in the Parque de Las Leyendas National Park. They are also found in the parks of Surco, San Isidro, San Miguel and Chaclacayo, and in the green park of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. (Allen, 1915; Emmons and Feer, 1990; Jessen et al., 2010; Leal-Pinedo and Linares-Palomino, 2005; Merrick et al., 2012; Montes et al., 2011; Thorington Jr., et al., 2012)
Neotropical Native Biogeographic Zone
Place of residence
The Guayaquil squirrels are arboreal and inhabit trees found in mature and secondary forests, as well as coffee plantations. The trees are evergreen, semi-trees and semi-trees. The plants in the south are humid and montane. These forests are located at an altitude of 1400 to 2000 m on the western Andean side. The forest in the north is wet and dry and is at water level. These forests have grasses that are full of herbs, shrubs and herbs. (Emmons and Feer, 1990; Jessen et al., 2010; Merrick et al., 2012; Thorington Jr. et al., 2012)
In the Cerros de Amaotape National Park near the coast of Peru, S. stramineus lives at an altitude of 200 to 1613 m in the forest. These forests are montane with thorny vegetation, tropical dry and semi-arid forests. Plant species in this park include Prosopis juliflora, Loxopterygium huasango, Capparis angulate, Caesalpinea corymbosa, Bombax species and Tillandsia species. Along the northeast coast of Peru, Guayaquil squills live in arid and forested areas. The dominant tree species in this area are Acacia macracantha and Prosopis pallida. (Erdmann, et al., 2008; Leal-Pinedo and Linares-Palomino, 2005; Suarez-Davalos, et al., 2010)
In humans, Guayaquil squirrels have been found in Ecuadorian lands in cities such as Portoviejo County in Manabí Province and Maconta Abajo. These areas include a mixture of forests, maize and papaya. The forests in this area are sparsely wooded with large hardwoods and a low number of trees. Humidity in June and July in Maconta Abajo reaches 97%. The tall trees of the urban area of Lima, Peru, are also known as habitats for S. stramineus, as they can do well in the urban landscape, as well as in captivity. (Grijalva, et al., 2012; Jessen, et al., 2010; Merrick, et al., 2012; Weigl, 2005)
Subtropical subtropical habitat
Terrestrial mountain biomesforest
Other features of the farm village house
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2000 (up) m
6561.68 (height) ft
Physical description
In general, the Guayaquil squirrels are large squirrels with four legs; long, thin, gray tail; long, narrow, black ears; and five images at their feet. There are two different color morphs in this species. In the early to mid-1900s, these species were described as four different species, but S. stramineus is now considered monotypic. The first type is found in the plains of Ecuador, where squirrels with shoulders appear gray due to a mixture of white and black fur. Their rump and tail are a rare orange with black spots and their undersides are reddish-brown to brown while their heads are black. Their legs can be white or black and their tails are black with white tips. This species was previously described as the subspecies Sciurus stramineus stramineus and Sciurus stramineus guayanas. Sciurus stramineus stramineus has been described as a pale gray upper part while S. stramineus guayanus has been described as having gray upper and lower parts. The second color type is found in Peru and the highlands of Ecuador. This species of S. stramineus has gray underparts and a thick glaze on the tail caused by their white hair and black fur. Their shoes are purple, red or bright orange and the neck area behind their ears is white or purple. The legs of this species are black. This species is divided into the species Sciurus stramineus nebouxii and Sciurus stramineus zarumae. This form is best considered S. stramineus nebouxii, while the dark variety is considered S. stramineus zarumae.
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