Feeding behavior and activity patterns of Amazon red squirrels

Abstract

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.

Associated evolution of fruit size, fruit colour and spines in Neotropical palms

“…However, even though the effectiveness of spines in preventing seed predation has not been systematically investigated, the spiny trunks of Astrocaryum spp. do not seem to be enough to prevent the access of squirrels to fruits and seeds (Palmer & Koprowski, 2014). If spines are not effective in preventing seed predation by rodents in the present, then the hypothesis that these interactions are the underlying cause for the evolutionary association between fruit size and spines is less plausible.…”

Tree Species Composition for Squirrel- Observation Recreational Activity in Botanical Garden, Putrajaya

“…Plantain squirrels were located by systematically patrolling the study area along the line transects during the daylight hours. In order to detect squirrels occurrences, line transects method was used prior to focal animal sampling method (Palei et al, 2015;Palmer and Koprowski, 2014;Saiful and Nordin, 2004;Devan, 1982). Specific line transects were plotted along the footpath which provided a clear view of as much vegetation as possible.…”

Feeding ecology of a lesser‐known arboreal giant: Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura), Southern Western Ghats, India

“…Even though the feeding techniques of R. indica are described, there is a lack of literature evidence for the GGS (Ramachandran, 1992). The availability of food in an area is vital in supporting a minimum viable population for the squirrel to thrive (Palmer & Koprowski, 2014). Mammalian population dynamics are greatly dependent on and influenced by food availability and diet (Chapman et al., 2015).…”