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 March
8, 2009 - We have counted 7 separate gray squirrels. This was a
difficult task with all the chasing after each other fun games (a sure
sign of spring and a young man's fancy stuff). We'll be seeing the
tiny, fuzzy babies soon. Yikes, it's time to restock the peanut supply!
Squire the Squirrel has a Great Adventure
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This
little picture story took place today on a relatively calm start
to the last winter month (came in like a lamb). One of our five
gray squirrels (all dubbed "Squire" by the imaginative Food
Guy), looked around the backyard for some excitement (okay, just
something good to eat). |
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| He saw something wonderful. He
smelled something wonderful. "I just have to climb this
convenient grid that the food folks put on this window.
What great people they are- always thinking of me!" |
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| "I do have to look out for that goofy cat,
who sometimes sits in this window." Squire still wasn't sure if
she could be trusted or not." Goldy the goldfinch said she
was just a big ole pussy cat who wouldn't hurt anybody. "But
then," thought the squirrel, "I'm not just anybody!" |
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| "I think I'm going to make it.
That seed ball with the pretty ribbon must be for me." |
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| "Hooray! It tastes great. It has just the
right balance of small seeds, nuts and everybody's favorite-
sunflower seeds- all mooshed together in a cute little ball.
And if that wasn't enough- food folks suspended it like a piñata
(what fun people!)" |
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| "Uh oh. I see a big, black furry
face." |
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| "Bye, bye for now, little treat. It was
nice hanging around with you." |
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| "Good thing he ran," thought the stunned
black cat, "I didn't even know he was playing with that ball.
I don't really mind. All my little foam balls are in a
basket under the end table (unless, of course, Hattie, the other
black cat, dumped
them out again)." |
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| "Ball? What ball? I've been sitting here
all this time, just waiting for nuts to fall out of the sky-
honest!" |
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While we usually credit our red squirrels with extreme inventiveness
aka feeder adaptability pests, today we watched Squire, the gray
squirrel , open the backer board woodpecker suet feeder. He lifted
the lid on top and pulled the suet block straight out with his teeth and
carried it up the tree to the first branch. Here he sat eating
away. Sensing danger and envy from his yard associates, he scrambled
further up the tree.
Food Guy went to investigate. We thought he may have dropped what
must have been for him a very heavy breakfast. Circling the
tree and not seeing the suet, Food Guy was surprised to hear "kerplunk"
and find the block o' lard had landed at his feet. In spite of the
furious chatter from Squire, still in the tree top, the food was
returned to its rightful feeder in the hope it might actually serve as a
woodpecker snack.
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Gray squirrel you sit upon my lawn.
Crisp white pinafore you have on.
Your front paws poised could bring a tray.
Will you, please, serve me lunch today?
No way I say, not any day!
You're just as bad as that blue jay.
If you would work as I have done,
Preparing for the days to come,
You'd find you have enough to eat
And you'll not need another's treat.
So learn from me, don't lazy be,
For you won't get my sympathy.
Elaine P. Enneking
(Sister to Food Mom)
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Size:
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Body Length: 9-12 in
Tail Length: 6.25-11 in
Weight: 12-28 oz
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ID:
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Male: Mostly gray upperparts with reddish
tones on head, shoulders, back and feet and silvery tipped
hairs; grayish white underside and backs of ears; white eye
ring; large flattened tail, very bushy with lots of
silvery hairs; small thumbs on front paws to hold food securely
while eating; whiskers; excellent sense of smell
Female: Same as male
Juvenile: When seen prior to full growth at
nine months, smaller and fuzzier that adult
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Habitat:
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Wooded areas, both coniferous and deciduous trees; forest,
parks and backyards, especially those with birdfeeders
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Diet:
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Nuts, seeds (including pine cones, fungi, fruit, buds, bark,
berries, insects, nestlings and eggs; will master almost any
birdfeeder and will eat most birdseed and suet or peanuts
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: 2 litters (one in late
winter or early spring and one in summer); male attracts female
attention by slapping trees and loudly chattering
Nests: Leaves, twigs, bark, lined with moss and
feathers built on branches or in hollow trees and old woodpecker
holes; builds several nests, but male uses separate nest from
female and young; 1st litter born in tree hollow, 2nd in treetop
nest (12-19 inch ball-shaped); both male and female build winter
nests.
Young: 2-4 average, but up to 9 born blind and
hairless; weigh .5 oz at birth; eyes open at 4-5 weeks;
nurse for 8 weeks; independent at 12 weeks; female raises young
alone; may stay with mother until arrival of next litter
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Activities:
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Most active at dawn and dusk; must eat every day; does
not hibernate; buries nuts individually and can find them by
smell later; usually solitary in summer, but may group together
in winter to generate warmth; can leap more than 20 feet
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Predators and Dangers:
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Bears, coyote, bobcat, wolves, birds of prey and hunters and
automobiles
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Sounds:
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Chattering when excited; piercing scream or sharp bark
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Lifespan:
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3-4 years
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