squirrel (redirected from Tree rat)

squirrel

small, arboreal, mostly herbivorous rodents varying in color from gray to shiny black, red and cream, and in size from mouse to large cat. Some are insectivorous, and many are terrestrial, e.g. the chipmunks. Some glide although they are called flying squirrels. Most squirrels are diurnal but the flying genera are nocturnal. They are all members of the family Sciuridae, which includes a very large number of species, and are distinguished by their fine, dense fur and their bushy, plume-like tails and ears that are often surmounted by tufts of hair.

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squirrel corn

dicentracanadensis.

squirrel fibroma

a poxvirus disease caused by a member of the genus Leporipoxvirus in which there are typical subcutaneous fibroma lesions. The virus isolated from the lesions has been used to produce fibroma lesions in rabbits.

fox squirrel

this species has a characteristic of inherited porphyria manifested by fluorescence of bones and teeth when viewed under ultraviolet light, and a pink coloration of these and other tissues. There is no photosensitization. Called also Sciurus spp.

squirrel monkey

a dramatically colored, e.g. yellow-green with red lower limbs, squirrel-sized, carnivorous monkey distinguished by its large brain. Called also Saimiri sciureus.