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Red Squirrel - (Tamiasciurus
hudsonicus)
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March
8, 2009 - The red 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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 sliced 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 grand girls. 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.
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Size: |
Body Length: 7-9 in |
Tail Length: 3.5-6 in |
Weight: 5-9 oz |
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ID:
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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
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| 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 |
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Vocalization: |
Very vocal; sharp
bark when alarmed along with foot
stamping; descending trills, chirps, and
squeaks |
| Lifespan: |
2-3 years |
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