A large tree squirrel found only in Mexico, which makes it special right off the bat. It lives mainly in central Mexican mountain regions, especially in pine and oak forests, wooded valleys, and dry mountain slopes. Compared with common city squirrels, Peters’s squirrel is more strongly tied to upland forests and natural wooded areas. It has a grayish back, a pale or creamy underside, and a long tail that is often dark above with lighter tips underneath. One of its most noticeable features is the pale ring around its eyes, which gives it a bright, alert expression.

One thing that makes Peters’s squirrel different from many other squirrels is its mountain-forest lifestyle. It is mostly active during the day and spends much of its time in trees, using sharp claws and strong legs to move along branches. Its long tail helps it balance when climbing and leaping. It is considered a mainly tree-living squirrel, though it may also come down to the ground to search for food. Unlike bolder squirrels that thrive in city parks, Peters’s squirrel is more of a woodland animal, shaped by Mexico’s high forests and valleys.

Peters’s squirrel eats mostly plant foods, including acorns, pine seeds, wild figs, plums, and other fruits and seeds. This diet makes it an important part of the forest because it may help move seeds around as it feeds. Some squirrels hide seeds for later, and forgotten seeds can grow into new trees. In this way, squirrels like Peters’s squirrel can act as quiet forest gardeners. During summer, these squirrels may be seen more often, and groups may gather in the same tree during the breeding season, which is a fun contrast to their usual more solitary lifestyle.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Mexico

2016

Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, México State