Squirrels

NPS Photo/C. Ver Mulm

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Scientific Name

Sciurus niger

Identification

• 2.5-3.2 lbs
• Medium-sized tree squirrel that is primarily reddish-brown in color with a red belly

Range and Habitat

The Eastern Fox Squirrel likes open areas like woodlands with no undergrowth as well as urban areas. Their favorite trees are oak trees and hickory oak. Their range extends from the east coast and west into the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas however smaller introduced populations can be found in Montana, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Diet

Eastern fox squirrels are opportunistic feeders, meaning they shift their diet based on what's available and accessible. Given this behavior, they eat a wide variety of foods like acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, corn, insects, mushrooms, and occasionally garbage.

Fun Facts

• Eastern fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrel in North America.
• When fox squirrels are born, they have no fur and are blind.
• Fox squirrels can sometimes get the nutrients they lack in their diet (like Calcium) by gnawing on antlers or even by eating soil!

 

C. Ver Mulm

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Scientific Name

Spermophilus tridecemlineatus

Identification

• Around a quarter of a pound
• Small, slender squirrel with thirteen lines running from its head down its back. These stripes consist of either seven broad dark brown stripes alternating with six thin tan bands or seven narrow yellow stripes alternating with six broader dark brown stripes.

Range and Habitat

Historically, thirteen-lined ground squirrels lived in the prairies of the Great Plains. As land has been cleared for human development, their range has expanded to more of the central US and Canada. Thirteen-lined squirrels like open areas with short, well drained grass. Additionally, they prefer sandy or loamy soil as it makes digging burrows easier. Due to these preferences, they often avoid forests and prefer lawns, grazed pastures, parks, and roadsides.

Diet

A thirteen-lined ground squirrel’s diet consists primarily of weed plants and crops like corn and wheat. They also eat the leaves of grass and clovers. They’ll hoard food underground and transport it by filling their cheek pockets. These squirrels are also known to eat insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs.

Fun Facts

• They have excellent vision, smell, and touch senses.
• Newborns weigh only 4 grams
• In the wild, these ground squirrels only live a few years. In captivity, they can live around 8 years.

 

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