Saturday, 26 February 2000

Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sciurus ("squirrel") variegatoides ("variegated")

Adult Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025


Featured Subspecies: Sciurus variegatoides rigidus
Weight: 500g  /  Length: 26cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common and widespread squirrel species of Central America, as the name suggests they can have quite variable fur colouring with different quantites of orange, white, grey and black. It is an adaptable species, found in both forests, suburbs and plantations the latter of which it is often considered a pest. It is sometimes kept as a pet but has been inplicated in human deaths in Europe caused by disease transmission from captive animals. 

Related Species: 
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Sciurus
SUBSPECIES: S. v. goldmani, S. v. bangsi, S. v. managuensis, S. v. variegatoides, S. v. boothiae, S. v. belti, S. v. underwoodi, S. v. adolphei, S. v. dorsalis, S. v. atrirufus, S. v. rigidus, S. v. thomasi, S. v. loweryi, S. v. melania, S. v. helveolus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A common and widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Alajuela

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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