Foraging sites are important for the survival of animals. Individuals cue on characteristics of the forest that offer enough food resources and also provide safety. During June and July of 2009 and 2010, we studied northern and southern Amazon red squirrels (Sciurus igniventris, S. spadiceus) to determine what forest characteristics were associated with feeding sites. We examined habitat use at three levels: vegetation community where feeding sign was located, site characteristics of the forest immediately surrounding the feeding sign, and the tree exhibiting feeding sign. We measured the site characteristics inside a 10-m radius circular plot, the physical characteristics of the tree exhibiting feeding sign, and the same variables at random locations for comparison. Because there is lack of knowledge about these squirrels, we also conducted focal observations to study their behavior. Squirrels use mainly high and low restinga and selected Astrocaryum and Attalea palm trees that were taller and larger compared with random locations. Squirrels used all vertical strata of the forest, and the main behaviors observed were travel and forage. Behaviors occurred similarly across the day but differed by vertical strata. Although squirrels used vegetation communities different than available and selected for tree characteristics, site characteristics did not appear to be important in contrast with other tree squirrel species.

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Sciurus pyrrhinus O. Thomas, 1898 is a rodent commonly called the Junín red squirrel or ardilla rojiza. This largebodied, arboreal species is characterized by a rufous dorsum and an orange tail, and is 1 of 28 species in the genus Sciurus. Endemic to Peru, S. pyrrhinus is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes between 600 and 1,500 m above sea level, spanning rain forest and montane forest habitat. Described as common within its limited distribution, the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment classifies S. pyrrhinus as ''Vulnerable'' and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources considers it ''Data Deficient.''

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