Northern Amazon Red Squirrel

The northern Amazon red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris) is a species of squirrel from South America. It occurs in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is widespread across its distribution and inhabits lowland forests, preferring a diet of nuts with especially thick shells. It is considered a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, though it is hunted for food in Ecuador and Peru and may be subject to habitat fragmentation from human logging activities. == Taxonomy == The firey squirrel (Scurius flammifer) is thought to be a junior synonym of the Northern Amazon red squirrel, although further investigation has been recommended to solidify these species' synonymy. Two subspecies are recognized: S. i. igniventris — Occurs in Venezuela, Brazil, and eastern Peru. Body fur is ocher-red, belly fur is rust-colored. S. i. cocalis — Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. This form tends to have a black band running from head to tail. Belly is pale ochre-buff. == Appearance == Northern Amazon red squirrels are dark red to rusty orange, with black grizzling. The paws are bright red or orange. The belly fur is a light orange, red, or white, contrasting sharply with the darker dorsal fur. A…