Specimens examined, 2 from 70 km. [by highway] S. Ciudad Victoria and 2 km. W El Carrizo.
Sciurus aureogaster aureogaster F. Cuvier
Red-bellied Squirrel
[Sciurus, by implication] aureogaster F. Cuvier, Hist. nat. mammifères, vol. 6, livr. 59, pl. with text, September, 1829. Binomial published at end of work only, vol. 7, tabl. generale et méthodique, p. 4, 1842. (Type from "California" = eastern Mexico.)
Specimens examined, 13 as follows: 43 km. S Ciudad Victoria, 1; 70 km. [by highway] S Ciudad Victoria, and 6 km. W of [Pan-American] highway [at El Carrizo], 3; 70 km. [by hwy.] S Victoria and 2 km. W El Carrizo, 9.
Remarks.—These colorful squirrels were taken in thick timber and brush, and locally are referred to as "ardilla pinta" or "ardilla colorada." One female obtained on January 22 is black. Local hunters state that these squirrels are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Two squirrels were seen in copulation on January 19.
Sciurus negligens Nelson
Little Gray Squirrel
Sciurus negligens Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 12:147, June 3, 1898. (Type from Alta Mira, Tamaulipas, Mexico.)
Specimens examined, 17 as follows: 70 km. [by highway] S of Ciudad Victoria and 6 km. W of the [Pan-American] highway [at El Carrizo], 5; 70 km. [by highway] S Ciudad Victoria and 2 km. W El Carrizo, 12.
Remarks.—Referred to as "ardilla chica" locally, these squirrels were most frequently seen in the dense forest of the lower, elevations. Active both in trees and on the ground, these animals were reported as being destructive to corn crops. Females taken in January were lactating.