Arizona gray squirrel

Description

The Arizona gray squirrel (Sciurus arizonensis) is a tree squirrel, in the genus Sciurus, endemic to the canyons and valleys surrounded by deciduous and mixed forests in eastern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is threatened by habitat loss. The only other large squirrel that is within its range is Abert's squirrel, which has ear tufts and lives in pine forests. Although they act and look like other gray squirrels, the Arizona gray squirrel is actually more closely related to the fox squirrel. Sciurus arizonensis is a member of the order Rodentia and the family Sciuridae. It is distinguishable from Sciurus aberti by its longer flatter skull, broader rostrum, and having only one molar instead of two. S. arizonensis also has smaller ears with no tufts and a red/black stripe on the underside of their tail. Some sexual dimorphism can be seen in these squirrels, but it varies with some populations having larger males, and other populations having larger females. Sciurus arizonensis or the Arizona gray squirrel can be found in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico. They live in the mountains at mid-elevations in riparian habitats, usually broadleaf riparian habitats. The Arizona gray squirrel has had no recent expansion or reduction in the size of their range in New Mexico, though there has been some population decline. This is due to habitat loss and the introduction of Abert’s squirrel, which has in some cases outcompeted the Arizona gray squirrel for resources. The Arizona gray squirrel's diet consists mainly of pine cones, acorns, and other nuts. They also eat seeds and berries.