Squirrels are not exclusive to foreign countries and cold climates. So much so that if you live close to green areas here in Vale do Sinos and the region, you may have already seen the little animal venturing into the branches or zigzagging along the ground.
According to Sarah Peixe, biologist and licensee at the Ivoti Environment Department, Caxinguelês (Guerlinguetus aestuans), also known as Serelepes, are common in the region. These animals are typically forest animals. “We have records of these squirrels both in Ivoti and in neighboring areas. They are diurnal and prefer tree heights,” she says, highlighting the rarity of seeing them.
Recently, an employee from Ivoti City Hall captured images of a Caxinguelê in a square in a nearby city. “Ivoti and the surrounding cities share similar characteristics of forest, climate and relief, forming part of the same ecological corridor. This indicates the presence of these squirrels in Ivoti as well”, he observes.
Sarah mentions that the Caxinguelê is the only species of squirrel found in the Pampas Gaúchos. She shares some interesting facts about the species, such as the fact that the babies are born blind and spend the first six weeks in burrows, in addition to being excellent seed dispersers in the wild. They often bury seeds and sometimes forget where, causing new trees to grow from these forgotten seeds.
Squirrels in the region normally inhabit hollow spaces in tree trunks in preserved forests, far from urbanized areas. “They are rare animals, measuring approximately twenty centimeters in length, not counting their long, furry tail measuring over 18 centimeters. An adult can weigh up to 300 grams”, she concludes.