How Can You Tell Squirrel Gender?
You might be asking yourself, “How can you tell squirrel gender?” There are a few ways to do so. The first step is to observe the squirrels. Females are more active than males, which means that you can usually tell the gender by the way they move, eat, and play. You can also observe how the males behave and the hierarchy that is created during mating rituals. Males typically mate with a female at around 11 months of age, and the dominant male will mate with the female first.
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Males are lazy
Most people think male squirrels are lazy, but that’s not true. Males are actually quite active and social animals. Unlike females, however, who spend most of their time in underground holes, males don’t have to do a lot of work to raise a baby. Instead, they spend most of their time chasing down an elusive prey. Luckily for us, these males are not all that lazy, and you can be assured that you will see them often.
In contrast, female squirrels spend most of their time foraging, caring for their young, and foraging. They spend more time above ground than males, which means they’re less likely to be eaten by foxes and eagles. So, if you’re wondering whether male squirrels are truly lazy, consider this study:
Females are more active
One theory suggests that female squirrels are more active than males. While it may not be the case, female squirrels have less time to leave their burrows than males do. This is because female squirrels are responsible for raising babies. The researchers looked at two species of ground squirrels, the golden-mantled and the Arctic. Williams’ study, however, offers much more data to support this idea. In addition to comparing the activity levels of these two species, the researchers noted that females spend more time foraging than males do.
Using radio transmitters, we monitored the temperatures of each individual’s collar. This provided data on how each squirrel spent the day, and whether it was more active at night. The females tended to be more active than males during the day. The data indicated that the two species were equally active during each of the four seasons, with females showing higher levels of activity on the days with longer daylight hours. This bimodality is consistent throughout the study, suggesting that females spend more time in the tree-based habitats.
They suck on nipple-like appendage
There are several ways to identify a squirrel’s sex. Some species have distinguishable male and female parts, such as the genital opening. Others, such as the ground squirrel, have very different phenotypes. Thankfully, veterinarians can differentiate sexes by looking at their external genitalia. Listed below are some of the most popular ways to determine the gender of squirrels.
The nipple-like appendages of both sexes are distinctive features of male and female squirrels. In order to avoid developing big teeth, these animals chew on a variety of foods, including earthworms and small birds. Moreover, they may chew on eggshells and shells from the coast. Despite her big belly, Willow does not appear to be pregnant and her nipples do not look centered on the pectoral region.
They reproduce at 11 months
Several factors can help you determine the gender of a squirrel. It is easiest to determine the gender of a squirrel if you see it while it’s dead, such as its scrotum sac. Female squirrels do not have scrotum sacs, but males do. Males are a bit heftier than females and the scrotum sac is usually visible on an adult male. The anus of a male is visible, but the testicles are not.
The sex of a squirrel is often guessed by its coloring and behavior. Female squirrels bear their young in a den and keep a small territory. Young squirrels leave their den at about six weeks, but stay near their mothers for several weeks before moving on to their own. Male and female squirrels do not form pair bonds. In order to tell which one is which, you must watch the animal closely and note any behavior that seems out of place or not typical.
They move closer to human homes
Squirrels are known to have complex language and multiple sounds. Researchers at the University of Exeter conducted a study with gray squirrels, engaging them in a tricky puzzle. Even after 22 months, the squirrels remembered the solution. They also moved closer to human homes to find more natural habitats. So, you can use this technique to determine the sex of your squirrel. But be careful when you do so, as it could damage your house and cause structural issues.
If you see a squirrel moving closer to human homes, the sex of its young is obvious. Female squirrels bear their young in dens. Female squirrels generally keep their territory small. Once the young are born, the female squirrel raises them alone. Young squirrels are weaned at around 10 weeks old. Eventually, the mother squirrel drives away the young. She may have another litter before the fall.
They have huge testicles
If you’re looking for ways to identify the gender of a squirrel, you’ll find that its huge testicles are the first clue. Male squirrels have gigantic testicles, and the males’ scrotum is 20 percent longer than the female’s. Male squirrels also have sperm, which is one of the primary indicators of a squirrel’s gender. The testes and penis of male squirrels undergo a seasonal cycle, ascending into the lower abdomen to fertilize the female. Moreover, the penis of male squirrels is twice as long as that of the female.
Red squirrels’ testes are often swollen and darkly stained during breeding season. The genitals of females are also visible, and they may be more prominent when they’re nursing a kitten. Although it’s not possible to tell the sex of a squirrel by just looking at them, you can determine its sex based on the distance between the genital opening and the anus, which is around one centimeter apart in females.
How can you tell a male squirrel from a female squirrel?
By looking at the size and shape of their genitalia.
Male squirrels have larger and more bulbous genitalia than female squirrels.
How can you tell a juvenile squirrel from an adult squirrel?
By looking at their size.
Juvenile squirrels are smaller than adult squirrels.
How can you tell a pregnant female squirrel from a non-pregnant female squirrel?
By looking at their size.
Pregnant female squirrels are larger than non-pregnant female squirrels.
How can you tell if a squirrel is sick?
By looking at its fur.
Sick squirrels have duller patchier fur than healthy squirrels.
How can you tell if a squirrel is injured?
By looking at its fur.
Injured squirrels have matted bloody fur.
How can you tell if a squirrel is blind?
By looking at its eyes.
Blind squirrels have cloudy or milky eyes.
How can you tell if a squirrel is deaf?
By looking at its ears.
Deaf squirrels have swollen dark-colored ear canal openings.
How can you tell if a squirrel is grieving?
By looking at its behavior.
Grieving squirrels exhibit listlessness anorexia and social withdrawal.
How can you tell if a squirrel is stressed?
By looking at its behavior.
Stressed squirrels exhibit listlessness anorexia hair loss and social withdrawal.
How can you tell if a squirrel is in heat?
By looking at its behavior.
Squirrels in heat are more active and vocal than usual and they may also exhibit increased aggression.
How can you tell if a squirrel is about to give birth?
By looking at its behavior.
Squirrels about to give birth become more lethargic and withdrawn and they may also build nests or burrows.
How can you tell if a squirrel is newly born?
By looking at its size.
Newborn squirrels are extremely small and their fur is usually matted and wet.
How can you tell if a squirrel is a day old?
By looking at its size and fur.
Day-old squirrels are only slightly larger than newborns and their fur is usually dry and fluffy.
How can you tell if a squirrel is a week old?
By looking at its size and fur.
Week-old squirrels are much larger than newborns and their fur is usually dry and sleek.
How can you tell if a squirrel is a month old?
By looking at its size and fur.
Month-old squirrels are much larger than newborns and their fur is usually dry and sleek.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
