March
8, 2009 - The re squirrel population in our backyard is at least 5 (seen
at one time). There has been much chasing going on. As this is a
sign of future baby squirrels arrival, we may have to open branch
feeders (pun intended).
January 22, 2009 - It's been noted
from several sources that the red squirrel is fond of
drinking sap from maple trees. He may sever small
branches or bite into the tree trunk to start the sap
flowing. Large v-shaped cuts are made with the squirrel's
large front teeth. Because the beginning sap contains a great deal of
water, he returns later after sufficient evaporation has
occurred and the sap has thickened. Licking this maple
syrup provides a quick energy snack. Today was the
first we noticed this behavior.
Some believe Native Americans learned to tap maple trees by observing
these little red squirrels. Thus began the maple syrup industry, that
has gone on to make pancakes, the breakfast of choice for my grandgirls.
January 11, 2009 - We noticed last winter that the red
squirrel liked to make tunnels in the snow. He used them to travel
around the yard unnoticed. Judging by the peanuts that could be
found after an afternoon of sun and thawing, he also used his under-snow
trails for hiding peanuts.
Snow tunnels also provide protection from
harsh weather and hungry predators. These passageways may
store food or lead to areas where the squirrel has one of the
secret storehouses he filled last fall. This year we caught him in the act
(although he moved quickly and some of the photos are fuzzy).
December 6, 2008 - Since it was very
cold and windy this morning, I smeared some of my personal favorite
snack on a feeder post. Chunky peanut butter (an excellent
source of energy for body heat) and an old knife were relatively
easy to handle while wearing two pairs of gloves (one was for warmth
and the second was a pair of old gardening gloves for the messy suet
stuff). Food Guy (not a fan of any peanut butter) made
jokes about beaks and mouths sticking shut.
It seems he might actually be on to something. After
unsticking himself from the glob o' peanut butter, Little Red raced
to the nearest available birdbath, drank lots of water and and
washed his face and whiskers with the last of the frigid water that
was partially covered by a layer of ice.
The downy woodpeckers seemed to have no problem with the peanut
butter. The red squirrel came back later for more of this unusual
stuff - or maybe it was a different Red.
The red squirrel was the first creature to greet us when we moved
into this home. He chattered and scolded and let it be known the
side yard maple tree belonged to him alone.
We won him over when we hung a large seed feeder on a lower branch of
his tree. He ruled early in the morning and before bedtime by
sitting on the lid even after he had eaten his fill of birdseed.
Other times he just let the birds happily scatter the seeds while he
feasted on the overboard supply. Ground feeding cut out the need for his
wild acrobatics from the tree trunk to the feeder.
The electric company cut down a huge, old cherry tree that
dangerously overhung the road. We had it hauled in several large
pieces to the side yard close to the red squirrel's maple tree and under
several large pine trees.
Food Guy used his trusty chain saw and resliced some pieces into
smaller branches and more manageable tree trunk sections. We
propped up and staggered some large logs vertically and stacked wood-stove size branches into piles.
It's hard to tell who enjoys this little forest of stumps more- the
little red squirrel or the grandgirls. Either way- much giggling
and chattering accompanies all the scrambling and balancing acts.
"Red" quickly made tunnels and storage areas around and about the
stacks of wood. We thought he tolerated most non-squirrel activity with
just some noisy scolding. But we knew he'd had enough one visit,
when he harmlessly threw pine cones, with some degree of accuracy, down
on the girls' heads. They laughingly conceded the squirrel's right
to privacy and skipped off to to feed the dolls plastic corn on the cob
in their playhouse. Temporary peace was restored in the tree stump
garden.
| Size:
|
Body Length: 7-9 in Tail
Length: 3.5-6 in Weight: 5-9 oz |
|
ID:
|
Male: Small, reddish gray
on upper body; brighter red on sides; grayish white on
undersides; white eye ring; somewhat skimpy tail bright red and
outlined with black and edged in light reddish color; winter:
coat duller and grows ear tufts, summer: black stripe on sides between red and white,; multiple whiskers; feet orange
Female: Similar to male
Juvenile: Half the size and weight of
parents when weaned at 8-10 weeks |
| Habitat: |
Mixed deciduous and conifer forests; parks,
backyards |
| Diet: |
Pine seeds, nuts, fungi, fruit nestling
birds or eggs |
| Family Behavior: |
Mating Habits: Male
chases female to mate; male leaves to mate with other females;
usually 1 litter born in spring
Nests: Shredded bark, leaves, twigs, lined
with fur and feathers; built in hollow or fallen trees, ball
nest (drey) in branches or underground burrows; female builds
nest
Young: 2-4 average, but up to 6; born deaf, blind and
hairless; weigh .35-.5 oz at birth; fur starts at 8 days;
eyes open at one month; nurse for 8-10 weeks; female raises young
alone; may stay with mother until arrival of next litter;
independent at 9 weeks; young
find own homes; siblings may stay together for a while
|
| Activities: |
Solitary; most active
in early morning and shortly before dark; guards a territory of
several acres; very unsociable and appears angry and will
drive away birds and some animals by furious jabbering and
running at them or stamping feet; stores pine cones, nuts and seed in piles
in or under logs and bases of trees |
|
Predators and Dangers: |
Bobcats, fox, wolves, large birds of prey; pets;
automobiles |
|
Vocalization:
|
Very vocal; sharp bark when alarmed along
with foot stamping; descending trills, chirps, and squeaks |
|
Lifespan: |
2-3 years |
