Guianan Squirrel

activity

Activity patterns. Guianan Squirrels are diurnal and active throughoutthe year.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Tropical rainforests, swamps and wet forests, Atlantic gallery forests, secondary forests, gardens, and plantations. Forest fragments and urban parks often include Guianan Squirrels as one of their few natural residents.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Guianan Squirrel constructs spherical dreys of leaves, palms, and twigs. Individuals live and forage alone. They are found in all forest levels and on the ground. Most commonly they are seen in the midstory at 5 - 12 m. Home range overlap is considerable; individuals overlap with a number of their neighbors. Average male home range (6 - 5 ha) is twice as large as that of females (3 - 1 ha) during the autumn mating season. The Guianan Squirrel has a diverse repertoire of vocalizations that includes alarm calls of sharp chucks and chatters, short chips, and highpitched whines. When alarmed, Guianan squirrels ascend a tree and chatter while fleeing.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Male Guianan Squirrels follow and sniff genitalia of females before estrus. On the day ofestrus, several males pursue a female to mate. Females are pregnant in winter and summer, suggesting two annual mating seasons. Litters of 2 - 5 young are born in leaf nests or tree cavities.

Sciuridae