Sciurus colliaei Richardson, 1839

Nomenclature and Common Name

Collie's squirrel (scientific name: Sciurus colliaei Richardson, 1839) is sometimes called a "gray squirrel" within Mexico. It is a medium-sized squirrel with a gray coat.

Dorsal Pelage Coloration

Its back (dorsum) is typically darker gray with a yellowish tint that extends down to the base of the tail. The sides of the body are usually light gray, and the underside is typically white, though it may sometimes be a light orange color.

Tail Coloration

The top of the tail, excluding the base, is black with a faint white tint. The underside of the tail is gray, and the edges of the tail are white.

Female Morphometrics

Recorded measurements of collected specimens: female Collie's squirrels average 243.4 mm from head to the base of the tail, with an average tail length of 260.4 mm, and an average weight of 440.8 g.

Male Morphometrics

Male Collie's squirrels average 248.6 mm from head to the base of the tail, with an average tail length of 243.2 mm, and an average weight of 335.2 g.

Geographic Distribution

Collie's squirrel is native to the western coast of Mexico, found in the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Colima.

Southern Range Habitat

This species lives in areas with dense tropical and subtropical vegetation, and this habitat is especially common for populations in Jalisco.

Northern Range Habitat

It is also known to live in subtropical canyons in the northern portion of its range.