![]() ![]() Subfamilies: Callosciurinae (Southern Asian tree squirrels), Ratufinae (giant tree squirrels), Sciurillinae (South American pygmy squirrels), Sciurinae (includes flying squirrels), Xerinae (includes ground squirrels).The taxonomy of squirrels, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), is: Some species of squirrel have new litters every few months or as little as twice per year. When the kits leave the nest, they don't travel farther than 2 miles from home, according to the Massachusetts Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Taylor)Īfter seven to eight weeks, the young are weaned. They depend on their mothers for around two or three months.Ī boost of stress during pregnancy helps red squirrels ensure that their pups will grow fast. Babies are called kits or kittens and are born blind. Mothers give birth to two to eight offspring at one time. Baby squirrelsĪ female carries her young for a gestation period of 29 to 65 days, depending on the size of the species smaller squirrels have shorter gestation periods, according to the University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web. In the winter months they have a store of food they can eat when supplies are scarce. To prepare for cold months, squirrels will bury their food. Squirrels mainly eat fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits, but they will also munch on eggs, small insects, caterpillars, small animals and even young snakes. Squirrels are omnivores, which means they like to eat plants and meat. Many people think that squirrels only eat nuts, but this isn't true. ![]() On average, squirrels eat about one pound of food per week. They can glide up to 160 feet (48 m), making it look like they can fly. To get from tree to tree or from a tree to the ground, flying squirrels spread the muscle membrane between their legs and body and glide on the air. (Image credit: Andrea Browning )įlying squirrels make their homes in tree holes or nests that are built into the crooks of branches. The township of Kenton, Tenn., proudly boasts a population of 200 of the furry, pale rodents. ![]() Olney, Ill., is one of the towns that calls itself "Home of the White Squirrels," along with Marionville, Mo., and Brevard, N.C. They will wean when they are about a month old.īehavior The golden-mantled ground squirrel cleans itself by rolling in the dirt and combing its fur with its teeth and claws.Albino squirrels are quite popular in some parts of the United States. The babies are born with their eyes and ears closed and they are hairless except for tiny whiskers and fur on their heads. A month after mating, she will have a litter of between four to six babies. The female builds a nest of leaves, grass and bark in an underground burrow. Females come out of hibernation two to three weeks after the males. The males emerge first and will compete with each other to establish a territory. Life Cycle Mating season is in the spring when the squirrels come out of hibernation. Its den isn't dug very deep, but it can stretch as long as 100 feet. It makes its den near or under a tree or log. It also may wake up a couple of times during hibernation and eat the stored food. It takes food to its den and stores it to eat in the spring when it wakes up. ![]() It has cheek pouches that it uses to carry food. In the fall, the golden-mantled ground squirrel puts on a layer of fat. It also eats green plants, some insects and underground fungi. A large part of its diet is made up of piñon nuts. It can be found in places with rocky meadows and in sagebrush areas.ĭiet The golden-mantled ground squirrel eats seeds, nuts and fruits. It is common in mountainous areas up to the timberline. Habitat The golden-mantled ground squirrel can be found in coniferous and mixed coniferous-hardwood forests. Range The golden-mantled ground squirrel can be found in southeastern British Columbia in Canada south to New Mexico and Southern California. Its head, face, front paws and chest are a coppery red. ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least ConcernĬharacteristics The golden-mantled ground squirrel is a small chipmunk-like squirrel with grayish-brown fur on top with two white stripes bordered by black stripes on its sides. ![]()
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