Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

 

Source: http://images.google.com/images?q=Gray%20Squirrel%20Pictures&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF

 

 

Taxonomic Level:

Common Names:  Gray squirrel, Eastern Gray squirrel, and Bushy-tail

 

Characteristics:

          The gray squirrel is a medium-sized tree squirrel. Its body is colored dark gray to pale gray and may have a reddish tent on top of its back. Its ears are pale gray to white and its tale is white and pale gray. They have four sets of whiskers located above and below the eyes, on the underside of the head, and on the nose. In the winter the squirrel is a little darker than in the summer or fall. Generally there is no difference between males and females when it comes to size and coloration. The adult total length ranges between 16 to 22 inches long. The tail is approximately 6.5 to 10 inches long, the hind foot is 2 to 3 inches long, and the gray squirrel weighs between 1 and 2.5 pounds.

                    The gray squirrel has very good eyesight even in dim light, and a wide field of vision. They also have a well-developed sense of smell and hearing. They are excellent tree climbers and very rarely fall to their deaths. Their curved claws and their ability to reverse their hind foot 180 degrees helps in their ability to climb. They are able to leap great distances because of the power in their hind legs. Their long bushy tails are used for balance when running and leaping between trees, to cover themselves up when in harsh climates, and can show if the squirrel is agitated or upset.

                    The gray squirrel does not hibernate, its active all year round. They are mostly active in the mornings and late afternoons, foraging for food and burying it to eat in the winter. Squirrels will build nests out of branches, leafs, grasses, and bark. They use these nests for shelter and when having their litter of babies. They will also use tree cavities for protection. Gray squirrels, in general, make a "squawking" bark to alert other squirrels and animals of immediate danger. The tracks they leave behind are small and are not usually visible unless in mud or soft, uncovered soil. The tracks are roughly 1 inch in diameter, composed of a small paw pad, and five fingers. Breeding season usually occurs in December through February and May through June. Gestation lasts approximately 45 days. Females reach their reproductive years at the age of 1.5 years old and as early as 5 months of age. Females may bear young twice a year. The males are usually sexually active by the age of 1 year. The litter size ranges between 1 and 8, but most of the time they have 2 to 3 babies per litter.

track

Gray squirrel tracks.  Source: http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/animals/track/3992.html

 

Distribution Patterns:

Gray squirrels can be found throughout the whole state of Virginia especially in the Appalachian Mountains. They are found throughout the eastern United States and their natural range extends from Florida, to Canada, and to the West in the grasslands. Also, they have been introduced in England, Italy, Scotland, and South Africa. They can be found throughout the world except Australia, Madagascar, and the Polar and Desert regions.

Map depicting the North American range of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. From: The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals, edited by Don E. Wilson and Sue Ruff. Copyright 1999. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.dlia.org/atbi/species/animals/vertebrates/mammals/sciuridae/Sciurus_cardinensis.html

 

 

 

 

The home range of a gray squirrel is usually where they spend their time nesting, foraging for food, and breeding. A male squirrels home range is larger than a females. The range usually ranges from 1 to 4 acres for males and 1 to 2 acres for females.

 

Habitat:

Gray squirrels prefer a large tree and heavily wooded areas. They prefer to inhabit oak, maple, and hickory trees. They will usually harbor these areas because the trees produce the nuts they like and the trees are big enough to provide great nesting sites and provide protection. Also they will find their homes in urban parks and peoples backyard. Basically, they prefer dense hardwoods and mixed coniferous forests. They will eat acorns, nuts, buds, and fruits. Also they will eat corn from crop land, walnuts, mushrooms, chestnuts, and flowers. They have also been known to eat bark from the trees.

Subspecies:

  1. S. carolinensis cextimus

  2. S. carolinensis fuliginosus

  3. S. carolinensis hypophaeus

  4. S. carolinensis pennslylvanicus

 

Native species of tree squirrels in North America:

 

Predators of the Gray Squirrel:

Timber Snake, Barred Owl, Hawk, Bobcat, Red and Gray Fox, etc...

 

 

References:

  1. http://www.squirrelsanctuary.org/sciurus_caronlinensis.htm

  2. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu

  3. http://spot.colorado.edu/~hallora/sg_grey.html

  4. http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/factshts/gsqrl.htm

  5. http://www.dlia.org/atbi/species/animals/

  6. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

  7. http://www.K12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/eastern_gray_squirrel.htm

  8. http:/ www.bear-tracker.com/gsquirrel.html

  9. http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/animals/track/3992.html

  10. http://images.google.com/images?q=Gray%20Squirrel%20Pictures&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF

 

 

 

 

Link To Fox Squirrel

 

By: Jimmy Fuller

April 8, 2004