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Gray Squirrel - (Sciurus
carolinensis)
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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!
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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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Nuts to You! |
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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
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Size:
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Body Length: 9-12 in
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Tail Length: 6.25-11 in |
Weight: 12-28 oz |
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ID:
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Male: Mostly gray upper parts 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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