Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
Ingram's squirrels primarily inhabit the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, favoring tropical and subtropical forests with dense canopies and ample tree cover. They are adaptable to both primary forests and secondary growth areas, often found in regions with high rainfall and elevation up to 1,000 meters.
Diet
Ingram's squirrels mainly eat nuts, seeds, and fruits from native trees like palms and figs, supplemented by occasional insects and bark. They forage actively during the day, often caching food in tree hollows for later use, which helps them survive seasonal shortages.
Behavior
Ingram's squirrels are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time climbing trees and leaping between branches. They live in small family groups with a loose social structure, exhibit territorial behavior by chasing intruders from food sources, and communicate through vocal calls and tail flicking.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN, Ingram's squirrel is listed as Least Concern with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agriculture in the Atlantic Forest.