The Caucasian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus anomalus) is a small arboreal (tree) rodent mammal. It is also called the Persian Squirrel.

The Caucasian Squirrel ranges in colour from greyish-brown to pale-grey or orange-brown with a yellow-brown or rusty-brown underbelly. Its bushy tail is deep red. It has short claws.

Caucasian Squirrel

It measures 32-36 centimetres (13-14 inches) in length. Its tail measures 13-18 centimetres (5-7 inches).

The Caucasian Squirrel is native to the Caucasus region, in countries such as Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It prefers to live in oak, pine, or pistachio forests.

It is diurnal, active during the day. It eats nuts, seeds, tree shoots and buds. It stores its food in tree cavities or in loose soil to eat later. It lives in trees, but forages for food on the ground.

The Caucasian Squirrel is solitary.

It makes a den lined with moss and leaves in tree hollows. The female has 2-7 young, which become fully grown by five or six months of age.

Caucasian Squirrel

Caucasian Squirrel

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM