What type of squirrel do i have

Squirrels There are nine different species of squirrels that can be found in Michigan. Eastern fox squirrel Eastern gray squirrel Red Squirrel Flying Squirrels: Two species of flying squirrels are found in the state. The northern flying squirrel inhabits the northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas, while its close relative, the southern flying squirrel, inhabits the southern Lower Peninsula. Flying squirrels are entirely nocturnal, inhabiting mature forests and parks, as well as other woodlands.

They utilize the many cavities that are found in mature trees for nesting and winter denning. Unlike bats, flying squirrels do not really fly. Others reach sizes shocking to those who are only familiar with common tree squirrels. The Indian giant squirrel is three feet long. Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they don't wear down from the constant gnawing. Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often seen gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch.

Other species are ground squirrels that live in burrow or tunnel systems, where some hibernate during the winter season. Ground squirrels eat nuts, leaves, roots, seeds, and other plants. They also catch and eat small animals, such as insects and caterpillars. These small mammals must always be wary of predators because they are tasty morsels with few natural defenses, save flight.

Sometimes groups of ground squirrels work together to warn each other of approaching danger with a whistling call. Tree squirrels are commonly seen everywhere from woodlands to city parks. Though they are terrific climbers, these squirrels do come to the ground in search of fare such as nuts, acorns, berries, and flowers. They also eat bark, eggs, or baby birds. Tree sap is a delicacy to some species. Flying squirrels are a third, adaptable type of squirrel.

They live something like birds do, in nests or tree holes, and although they do not fly, they can really move across the sky. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List , these species are endangered: San Joaquin antelope ground squirrel, woolly flying squirrel, Sipora flying squirrel, Mentawi flying squirrel, Siberut flying squirrel, smoky flying squirrel, Vincent's bush squirrel, Baja California rock squirrel, Idaho ground squirrel, Perote ground squirrel, fraternal squirrel and Mearns' squirrel.

The Namdapha flying squirrel is critically endangered. Squirrels have four teeth in the front of their mouth that constantly grow throughout their lives. This ensures that their teeth don't wear down to nubs from gnawing on nuts and other objects. These rodents have remarkable little bodies. For example, a squirrel has padded feet that cushions jumps from up to 20 feet 6 meters long.

Their eyes are high on their head and placed on each side of the head so they can see a large amount of their surroundings without having to turn their head. They are also fantastic runners. Squirrels can run 20 mph 32 kph. The gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis isn't just gray. It comes in a variety of colors, such as white, gray, brown and black. These little squirrels are great at planting trees.

Lifespan: Adults typically live to be about 6 years old. Some lucky individuals can live up to 12 years in the wild, assuming they are not eaten by a hawk, owl, bobcat, fox, weasel, feral cat, snake, or human. The Eastern Gray Squirrel is common in the United States, and one of the squirrels that people do battle with the most at their backyard bird feeders! These rodents eat a variety of foods, but naturally, their favorites are definitely nuts, such as acorns, walnuts, and hazelnuts. As winter approaches, Eastern Gray Squirrels start hiding food in many locations, which provides them nutrition through the colder months.

They hide more food than they will ever find again, and some of these extra seeds will eventually grow into new trees. Who knew that squirrels could play such an important role in seed dispersal? Many people have thrown up their hands in defeat as they try to stop these acrobatic mammals from taking over the bird feeders in their backyard. Their favorite foods include sunflower seeds, peanuts, and corn. In the wild, these squirrels are found in large, dense deciduous forests full of mature trees oaks, hickories that produce lots of nuts!

But these adaptable critters are equally comfortable living in suburban and urban neighborhoods, parks, and farms! While this squirrel is native to the eastern United States, they are actually an invasive species in other parts of the country and world.

Eastern Gray Squirrels are especially problematic in many parts of Europe because they outcompete and displace their native squirrels, such as the incredibly cute Eurasian Red Squirrel.

No one is really sure why the black morph evolved, but several theories have been offered. Some scientists think it may be a selective advantage for squirrels that inhabit the northern ranges to help them absorb heat since the color of black conducts heat best. Regardless of the reason, seeing a black squirrel is incredibly awesome! I am lucky enough to see them almost daily in my backyard, hanging out with their gray counterparts. Scientific Name: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. For individuals that survive the first year, the average lifespan is still only 2.

Predators include bobcats, coyotes, hawks, owls, foxes, American Martens, and Canadian Lynxes. The American Red Squirrel is widespread across the United States and easy to identify when compared to other squirrel species.

As the name suggests, they have a reddish color and white belly that makes them easy to distinguish. Size-wise, they are both MUCH smaller than both gray and fox squirrels but larger than chipmunks. These squirrels are primarily found in coniferous forests due to their diet, which consists of seeds from evergreen trees. But they are equally at home in deciduous forests, backyards, parks, and urban areas, where they adjust their diet to eat foods such as berries, bird eggs, acorns, hazelnuts, mushrooms, mice, and sunflower seeds from backyard bird feeding stations.

American Red Squirrels even have a sweet tooth and are known to tap maple trees so they can eat the sugar from the sap! When I go hiking, I almost always see at least one American Red Squirrel, as they are not shy creatures. And despite their small size, these squirrels run the show if they show up to your bird feeders.

I have personally witnessed these feisty rodents chase away more than FIVE Eastern Gray Squirrels away from my feeding station so that they can have the place to themselves.

Watch the video below to see for yourself! From a bird feeding perspective, American Red Squirrels present unique challenges if you want to prevent them from eating your birdseed. Scientific Name: Sciurus niger. Weight: 1. Lifespan: Captive Fox Squirrels have been known to live up to 18 years.

In the wild, their maximum lifespan is However, individuals rarely live that long due to overhunting, disease from mange mites, severe winter weather, or predation from foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey. These squirrels, which are native to most of the eastern United States, can adapt to many different habitats. They are most often found in small patches of deciduous forests that include trees that produce their favorite foods, which are acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts.

To prepare for winter, they hide caches of these nuts all over the place to be eaten later when the weather turns cold. Fox Squirrels are putting pressure on native squirrel species due to their ability to outcompete them. Subsequently, they are commonly found in urban parks and neighborhoods. For example, Fox Squirrels were a regular sight all over the campus Baldwin-Wallace University where I went to college, and adoringly loved by both students and faculty! You will likely see Fox Squirrels foraging on the ground, as they spend much of their time there.

In addition to scaling trees, they will easily climb a bird feeder pole to get access to birdseed. Most Fox Squirrels follow the same coloration, which is a grayish-brown fur coat with orange hair on their belly and on the edge of their tail.