Variegated Tropical Squirrel;

   Ardilla Tricolor; Chiza

    Sciurus variegatoides dorsalis

These beautiful members of the rodent family are native to southern Mexico and South to the Panama Canal.  In Spanish they are called “chiza”, or “ardilla tricolor” for their long soft fur with light grey tail and sides, and patches of black and coffee color on their back.  They weigh about one pound, and are 19”-22” long with 10”-12” of that being the tail length.

 They are common in and around towns in the Panama Canal Zone where they are larger than the red-tailed squirrel which prefers the humid wet forests.  The variegated squirrels are more likely to inhabit the dry deciduous or mixed forests.  In Costa Rica this squirrel is among the most commonly seen animal as they excitedly defend a favorite tree (like a coconut tree) against all competitors.  In the dry tropical forests of Nicaragua they share their habitat with two and three fingered sloths, kinkajous, coatimundi and king vultures.  These squirrels are found from sea level to over 8,000 feet.

 They are diurnal and have large territories where they will choose a tree for their compact nest which they construct with leaves high in the branches.  It is uncommon to see them in groups especially during mating season.  The female can give birth throughout the year to 2-8 young, with an average litter of four.  Predators may include large snakes, predatory birds, and capuchin monkeys who may go after the nestlings.

 While many kinds of squirrels like hard seeds and nuts, the variegated squirrel prefers soft fruit, tender leaves, flowers, pod fruit, insects, and bird eggs.  One of the fruits eaten is the orange and pulpy fruit of a rubber tree, where they crush the fruit, eat its pulp and drop the seeds.  In Costa Rica they may compete with capuchin monkeys for cacao beans.

 Our two original squirrels, Josephine (9/99 - 5/05) and Napoleon, arrived in December of 2000.  After Napoleon died, a second pair joined Josephine in November of 2003.  The new male is named Guapo (Spanish for handsome/good looking) and the female’s name is Chiza.