Bangs's Mountain Squirrel (Syntheosciurus brochus) is a species of tree squirrel that only lives in Costa Rica and Panama. It can be found in mountain rain forests at an altitude between 1900 and 2600 meters, and lives mainly in the tree tops, but sometimes on the forest floor as well. One of its habitats is at the summit of the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica, in a Clusia forest that is almost unaccessible for humans.

Description

The squirrel's head and body measure 15 centimeters, with a 13 cm tail. It has an olive brown back and an orange-red belly. Because of the shape of its skull and teeth, the species has been separated from the genus of typical tree squirrels, Sciurus, into its own (monotypical) genus Syntheosciurus.

Recent discovery

Until the 1980s, only four animals of this species were known. Since then, the species has been studied more in depth, especially by the zoologists Wells and Giacalone. It has been discovered that these mountain squirrels are sociable creatures. A couple of squirrels live in a tree nest together with their young at a height of 6 to 12 meters. Mountain squirrels have also been known to steal footwear, hiding in trees or undergrowth until an unsuspecting hiker takes off their shoes or boots before going to sleep.

References

• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
• Robert K. Enders: Observations on Syntheosciurus: taxonomy and behavior. Journal of Mammology 1980, Bd. 61, S. 725-727
• J. Giacalone, N.M. Wells, G. Willis: Observations on Syntheosciurus brochus (Sciuridae) in Volcán Poás National Park. Journal of Mammology 1987, Bd. 68, S. 145-147