No detailed information is available regarding communication of Caucasian squirrels. They do call, so they may communicate with sounds (e.g. warning calls) like other tree squirrels. During breeding seasons, the closely related species, Eurasian red squirrels, communicate with body posture and sounds including chucking calls and teeth chattering. Eurasian red squirrel females in estrus also give off a scent that males can detect during mating season (Amr et al., 2006; Lurz, Gurnell, and Magris, 2005).
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Caucasian squirrels are considered to be in the least concern conservation status. However, population decline is reported in some areas of their distribution, such as in Turkey mainly due to fragmentation and loss of habitat. Illegal hunting also harms Caucasian squirrl populations (Amr et al., 2006; Yigit et al., 2012).
Little is known about the negative economic effects of Caucasian squirrels on humans. However, one study reports that they forage at residential gardens so they may have negative impacts on gardens (Albayrak and Arslan, 2006).
Not much information of positive economic importance for humans is found, but some studies mention that people keep Caucasian squirrels, as a companion pet (Khazraiinia et al., 2008; Tootian et al., 2012; Masseti, 2010).
Positive Impacts: pet trade
There little information regarding ecosystem roles of Caucasian squirrels. However, they eat seeds and fruits and therefore, likely have an important influence on the forest ecosystem as seed dispersers. Additionally, food remains are found in several ground burrows further supporting this hypothesis (Miyaki, 1987).
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
Caucasian squirrels are herbivorous. They mostly eat pine acorns, other seeds and fruits. They sometimes forage in residential areas, and some are observed scavenging food from garbage dumpsters. Their close relative Eurasian red squirrels, have similar diets to Caucasian squirrels, but it also eats berries and fungi. When food abundance is low, the diet of Eurasian red squirrels become varied, including birds’ eggs, tree bark, flowers, and invertebrates (Amr et al., 2006; Sadeghinezhad et al., 2012).
Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore , Granivore )
Caucasian squirrels are native to Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The southernmost recorded range of their distribution is the forest covered mountains of Jarash and Ajlum in Jordan (Amr et al. 2006).
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
Caucasian squirrels inhabit coniferous and temperate mixed forests. Their nest are usually found in the tree hollows, and they seem to prefer pine trees (such as oak, walnut, and willow) to deciduous trees. Their nests are also found under rocks, inside heaps of stones, and in residential areas, such as graveyards and abandoned cattle sheds (Amr et al. 2006).
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural
There is no information available regarding average lifespan of Caucasian squirrels. Eurasian red squirrels live up to seven years in the wild and ten years in captivity. Since Caucasian squirrels inhabit some arid areas, water scarcity during the summer season can lower survival rates (Amr et al., 2006; Frentinos, 1972; Lurz, Gurnell, and Magris, 2005).
Caucasian squirrels have a dental formula of incisors 1/1, canines 0/0, premolars 1/1, and molars 3/3, totaling 20. They have four fingered fore feet and five fingered hind feet. Sex differences in body length or mass are not evident (Amr et al., 2006; Hayssen, 2008).
Their ventral fur usually has a reddish color and fur color changes in winter. Adult dorsal fur color in winter ranges from pale-blackish-grey to pale-reddish-buff. The dorsal fur color in summer varies from very light-reddish-grey to pale-blackish-grey. The ventral fur color in winter ranges from light-yellowish-buff to light-reddish-buff. The ventral color in summer varies from reddish-yellow to rich orange. Some individuals have ear tufts in winter, but these disappear in summer through autumn. (Albayrak and Arslan, 2006; Amr et al., 2006; Hayssen, 2008; Pamukoglu and Albayrak, 1996; Wauters and Dhondt, 1992)
Average mass: 335.3 g.
Average length: 200.0 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Little is known of predators of Caucasian squirrls. One study reports predation by large birds such as golden eagles or eagle owls. Many tree squirrels are eaten by many predators; Eurasian red squirrel are consumed by pine martens, wild cats, some owls, and raptors (De Cupere et al., 2009; Lurz, Gurnell, and Magris, 2005).
Known Predators:
The mating system of Caucasian squirrels is currently unknown. However, a closely related species, Eurasian red squirrels, are well-studied. Eurasian red squirrel females in estrus give off a scent that males can detect during mating season. Males follow her for one or more hours, but males give up pursuit when she leaves their home range. Male’s home range size depends on their rank in dominance hierarchy, with dominant males holding larger ranges resulting in more chances to mate (Lurz, Gurnell, and Magris, 2005).
Mating System: polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)
There is no information available regarding general reproductive behavior of Caucasian squirrels, but their close relative, Eurasian red squirrels are well studied. Both males and females are sexually mature at 9 to 19 months old. Breeding season of Eurasian red squirrels is prolonged from December to January and August to September. Females are polyestrus and in season for only one day per breeding cycle. Mating peaks occur in winter and spring. The average gestation period in temperate tree squirrels ranges from 39 to 44 days, so it is assumed that gestation periods for Caucasian squirrels may fall within that range. Their close relative Eurasian red squirrels usually have two to five offspring per litter. Offspring have been weaned at eight to ten weeks (Lurz et al., 2005; Emmons, 1979; Mari et al., 2008).
Breeding interval: Caucasian squirrels breed twice yearly from December to January and August to September.
Breeding season: Caucasian squirrels mate in the winter and spring.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
No information on the parental investment of Caucasian squireels was found. However, Eurasian red squirrels males do not provide parental care. Females nurse and protect offspring in their nests. Maternal care may extend after the young are weaned (Lurz, Gurnell, and Magris, 2005).
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus found in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in south-western Asia.[1]
The species is usually said to have first been described in 1778 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in the 13th edition of Systema Naturae,[2] and named Sciurus anomalus.[1] However, some authors argue that this work was actually published in 1788,[3] and that the true first description was made by Johann Anton Güldenstädt in 1785.[4][5]
Caucasian squirrels are small tree squirrels, with a total length of 32 to 36 cm (13 to 14 in), including the 13 to 18 cm (5.1 to 7.1 in) tail, and weighing 250 to 410 g (8.8 to 14.5 oz). The color of the upper body fur ranges from greyish brown to pale grey, depending on the subspecies, while that of the underparts is rusty brown to yellowish, and that of the tail, yellow brown to deep red. The claws are relatively short, compared with those of other tree squirrels, and females have either eight or ten teats.[5]
Samuel Griswold Goodrich described the Caucasian squirrel in 1885 as "Its color is grayish-brown above, and yellowish-brown below".[6]
Caucasian squirrels are native to south-western Asia, where they are found from Turkey, and the islands of Gökçeada and Lesbos in the west, Iran in the southeast, and as far as Israel and Jordan in the south.[1] It is one of only two species of the genus Sciurus to be found on Mediterranean islands,[4] and, although Eurasian red squirrels have been recently introduced to some areas, is the only species of Sciurus native to the wider region.[5]
The species mainly lives in forested areas dominated by oak,[7] pine, and pistachio,[5] up to altitudes of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[1]
Three subspecies are recognised:
The squirrels are diurnal, and solitary, although temporary groups may forage where food is plentiful. Their diet includes nuts, seeds, tree shoots, and buds,[8] with the seeds of oak[7] and pine[9] being particularly favored. Like many other squirrels, they cache their food within tree cavities or loose soil, with some larders containing up to 6 kg (13 lb) of seeds.[5]
They live in trees, where they make their dens, but frequently forage on the ground, and are considered less arboreal than Eurasian red squirrels. They commonly nest in tree hollows lined with moss and leaves, and located 5 to 14 m (16 to 46 ft) above the ground, but nests are also sometimes found under rocks or tree roots. Their alarm call is high-pitched, and said to resemble the call of the European green woodpecker, and they mark their territories with urine and dung.[5]
Breeding occurs throughout the year, but is more common in spring or autumn. Litters range from two to seven, with three or four being typical, and the young are fully mature by five or six months of age.[5]
A survey in 2008 found that the species remained abundant within Turkey, however declines are noted in population within the Levant region. The guides for a survey in 1993 in Israel stated that they considered the species to be nearly extinct within the area studied. Whilst the Caucasian squirrel is threatened by poaching and deforestation, the declines recorded are not sufficient to qualify them as anything other than "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1] Hunting of the species is banned by the Central Hunting Commission, and the Caucasian squirrel is protected by the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive.[8]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of December 2022 (link) The Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus found in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in south-western Asia.
The species is usually said to have first been described in 1778 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in the 13th edition of Systema Naturae, and named Sciurus anomalus. However, some authors argue that this work was actually published in 1788, and that the true first description was made by Johann Anton Güldenstädt in 1785.
