{{Short description|Species of rodent}} {{Speciesbox | name = Peters's squirrel | image = Sciurus oculatus 159674409.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. |author2=Castro-Arellano, I. |author3=Lacher, T. |author4=Vázquez, E. |date=2016 |title=''Sciurus oculatus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T20017A22246721 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T20017A22246721.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Sciurus | species = oculatus | authority = Peters, 1863 | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision_ref = <ref name="Thorington">{{MSW3 Sciuridae | id = 12400187 | pages = 762–763 | heading = ''Sciurus'' (''Sciurus'') ''oculatus''}}</ref> | subdivision = * ''S. o. oculatus'' * ''S. o. shawi'' * ''S. o. tolucae'' | synonyms = | range_map = Habitat map of Peters's squirrel.png | range_map_caption = Peters's squirrel's range }}
'''Peters's squirrel''' ('''''Sciurus oculatus''''') is a tree squirrel in the genus ''Sciurus'' endemic to Mexico. It was first described by the German naturalist and explorer Wilhelm Peters in 1863. Three subspecies are recognised. It is a common species, and the IUCN has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
==Description== Peters's squirrel is a large, mainly arboreal squirrel. The head-and-body length is {{cvt|20|to|22|in|mm|sigfig=2|disp=flip}} with a tail of about {{convert|260|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}, and a weight of around {{convert|550|to|750|g|oz|0|abbr=on}}. The colouring varies somewhat between the subspecies but it is generally grey dorsally, the hairs having dark brown or black bases, and white or cream ventrally. The upper part of the tail is blackish while the underside is dark with white tips to the hairs. There is a pale ring of skin around the eyes, and an important identifying feature is the dentition, with one fewer upper premolars than other related species.<ref name=Ceballos>{{cite book| last=Ceballos | first = Gerardo |title=Mammals of Mexico |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UrvxBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA183 |year=2014 |publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-1-4214-0843-9 |pages=183–184}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat== This squirrel is endemic to Mexico where it is found in the provinces of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, México State, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz. It inhabits pine and oak forests, at altitudes between about {{convert|1500|and|3600|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}}. It is also found on arid mountainsides and in valleys with arroyos.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />
==Ecology== The species is diurnal and usually lives a solitary life. During the summer these squirrels are frequently sighted, but not during the winter. The diet mainly consists of acorns and the seeds of pines, but other fruits and seeds are also eaten including wild figs and plums. The mating season seems to take place in summer and at this time, up to twenty individuals may accumulate in one tree, but little is known of their breeding behaviour. In parts of their range, they come into contact with the Mexican gray squirrel (''Sciurus aureogaster'') and the southern flying squirrel (''Glaucomys volans'').<ref name=Ceballos/>
==Status== Peters's squirrel has a wide range and is commonly seen in summer. No particular threats have been identified and it is present in a number of protected areas, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{S. Sciurinae1 nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1770020}}
Category:Sciurus Category:Endemic mammals of Mexico Category:Fauna of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt Squirrel, Peters's Category:Least concern biota of Mexico Category:Mammals described in 1863 Category:Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot