Squirrel

Introduction

The common name reflects that these squirrels are found only in areas where there are trees, because trees are where they build their nests, avoid most predators, and often harvest food. Tree squirrels frequently enter attics and become pests, and outdoors, they can cause considerable damage to electrical and telephone cables; they are of minor medical concern. Because of their aesthetic and game value, many species have been introduced into areas outside their normal range.

Recognition

Depending on the species, adults have a head and body length about 6-16 inches and tail length 4-14 inches; they weigh from 6 ounces to 3 pounds. Color is white, grayish, yellowish, reddish, or brownish above with belly pale or dark. Head and are body covered with short, thick fur and the tail is bushy, with long hair, and longer than head and body combined. Skull has 20 or 22 teeth.

Habits

The three species of tree squirrels which most often enter structures and causes problems are the three representative species. They enter primarily attics and garages for shelter, to store food, and/or to nest--activities which can result in damage to the structure and/or its contents. The habits of these three species are summarized below.

1. Fox squirrels favor oak-hickory forest, but in the south, they are found in mixed and pine forest as well as in cypress and mangrove swamps. They are most active in the on hickory nuts and acorns, but also on the fruit to tulip poplar, maple tree seeds, corn bordering woods, berries, bird eggs, and fungi. They usually take their food to a feeding perch for consumption below which has much debris. For summer they make a leaf nest in trees and nest in a tree cavity in winter, both usually at least 30 feet above the ground. Their home range is 10-40 acres. Populations range from 1-squirrel/2 acres to 3 squirrels/acre. Fox squirrels often overwinter with a family group in a common tree hole.

2. Gray squirrels favor hardwood or mixed forests with nut trees, especially oak-hickory forests, and river bottoms. They are active year round, but most active in the morning and evening on dry days. Gray squirrels feed primarily on nuts, especially hickory nuts, acorns, beech nuts, and walnuts. At times they feed heavily on maple or tulip trees seeds, fruit, opening buds, and can cause considerable damage to a corn patch. Nuts are never cached but are buried singly away from where they are found for use in winter; many nuts are not found and sprout into new trees. Gray squirrels nest in tree cavities or build leaf nests in branches usually at least 25 feet off the ground. Young may be moved to temporary leaf nests built to exploit a temporary food source, or to escape parasites or predators. Their home range is 2 - 7 acres. Populations are usually 2-20 per acre.

3. Red squirrels often are abundant in any kind of forest, hardwood, coniferous, or mixed, and are common around buildings. They are active year round, especially in the morning and evening, but occasionally after dark. Red squirrels feed on a great variety of seeds, nuts, berries, bird eggs and young, and fungi; they store green conifer cones and nuts in caches, and fungi are usually stored singly in tree crotches. They usually nest in tree cavities or branches, with a nest of leaves, twigs, and bark, but also nest in fallen trees and ground cavities. Their home range is less than 200 yards across. A typical population is 2 squirrels/3 acres, but may range up to 10/acre.