112 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Sciurus variegatoides 

 Variegated Squirrel, Ardilla or Chiza 



Variegated squirrels are found from southern Mexico to Panama (Fig. 88). 

 In Costa Rica, as many as eight subspecies of Sciurus variegatoides have been 

 reported (Hall 1981); however, the color patterns of this squirrel are quite variable 

 geographically and its subspecific taxonomy is in need of revision. The subspecies 

 of variegated squirrel thought to be represented in northeastern Costa Rica is Sciurus 

 variegatoides thomasi. Variegated squirrels are often abundant at low and middle 

 elevations. We have found them as high as 1,850 m. 



Variegated squirrels have been recorded on only 10 occasions in the mammal 

 logbook at La Selva. We saw one near the El Sura bridge in January 1987. 



Specimens examined (2)— Barva, San Miguel de la Montana, 1,800 m [1 male, 

 KU; 1 male, UNA]. 



Fig. 88. Variegated squirrel, Sciurus variegatoides. Photo by R. M. Timm. 



