How to Tell a Female Squirrel From a Male 
There are many ways to tell a female squirrel from a man, but perhaps the easiest way is to inspect its genitals. Male squirrels have a sac that appears near the anus, while females have teats. Males are usually heftier than females. African pygmy squirrels are particularly hefty. Females will typically build a new nest during this time.
Females produce pheromones and vocalizations to tell a female from a male
It is difficult to tell a female squirrel from a male based on vocalizations alone. In addition to vocalizations, female squirrels also produce pheromones. The pheromones produced by females are essentially the same as those produced by males. Studies have shown that females produce a queen pheromone that signals fertility. The pheromone is chemically similar to those produced by males advertising fertile sex in solitary ancestors.
Females are less picky when it comes to mating
The question of why female squirrels are promiscuous has been puzzling for years, but new research is revealing that the answer lies in a misunderstanding of genetics. While females should be more selective than males, this leniency may be a result of environment or proximity to other males. According to University of Guelph professor Eryn McFarlane, females should be more picky than males when it comes to mating.
Females build a new nest during this time
During nesting season, female squirrels may construct a new nest. During this period, she also tends to teach her young survival skills and may even stay with her second litter. The nest is usually lined with soft materials, and the female squirrels spend six weeks raising the young. It is common to see young nests with a mother and her babies during early spring or late summer. But it is important to understand that female squirrels do more than raise their young in nests.
Females do not mate for life
During mating season, multiple males attempt to attract a female squirrel to their territory. A male squirrel may attack the female and cause injury, or he may just ignore the female, depending on who is more dominant. The males are not there to mate for life, but they do have a high degree of dominance and may chase a female squirrel away. Afterward, the male will move on to his territory and live his normal life.
Females are polygamous
Scientists at the University of Guelph have cracked the code on why female squirrels are polygamous. They found that it has nothing to do with their genes and everything to do with how many males knock on their door. Polygamy in squirrels may have evolved because the females have many offspring, which limits the reproductive potential of the males. Genetic studies are also needed to understand the origins of this behaviour.
Females are nocturnal
Although they live in the same areas as other rodents, flying squirrels are entirely nocturnal. Their large eyes and keen sense of smell help them to forage for food, which can range from fruit to nuts. These animals are nocturnal in nature and can often be found in dense hardwood forests, abandoned orchards, parks, and vacant cabins. Observations of flying squirrels are best made during the autumn, when they are busy gathering food for the winter.
Females are bushy tailed
Squirrels are prolific breeders. A female may give birth to as many as eight offspring twice a year. They typically breed in the winter, from December to February, and then again in the late spring, from May to June. A female’s gestation period is around six weeks, and her young are born between two and four weeks after conception. They weigh about half an ounce and are blind and hairless when they are born. Their lifespan is between 13 and 15 years, but can be shorter or longer depending on the species.
Females live in conifers
The body size of red squirrels varies from species to species, and this difference may be a result of their habitats. Lindsay (1986) observed habitat-related differences in squirrel body mass, especially between hemlock and Douglas-fir species. These findings suggest that pinecone morphology responds to squirrel predation via body size differentiation. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism by which cone morphology influences squirrel size remains largely unknown.
Females do not eat foxes or eagles
The male fox squirrel is a small animal weighing less than two pounds. The female squirrel is larger, averaging twenty inches long. Its tail is cinnamon in color mixed with black. These squirrels are more common in the northern plains. Both sexes eat foxes and eagles. The male fox squirrel has a smaller body, but is still a threat.
How can you tell a female squirrel from a male squirrel?
Answer 1: By looking at the size of their genital opening which is larger in males.
Additionally males have a slit-like opening while females have a more round opening.
What is another way to tell a male squirrel from a female?
Answer 2: By looking at the size of their body and head.
Males are typically larger than females.
Do male or female squirrels have bigger tails?
Answer 3: Male squirrels have bigger tails.
What does the size of a squirrel’s tail indicate?
Answer 4: The size of a squirrel’s tail indicates its health and fitness.
A bigger tail means the squirrel is healthy and fit.
Do male or female squirrels have more fur?
Answer 5: Female squirrels have more fur.
What does the amount of fur on a squirrel indicate?
Answer 6: The amount of fur on a squirrel indicates its health.
A squirrel with more fur is healthier than one with less fur.
Do male or female squirrels have more food?
Answer 7: Male squirrels typically have more food.
Why do male squirrels have more food?
Answer 8: Male squirrels have more food because they are larger and need more to eat.
They also typically eat more than female squirrels.
Do female or male squirrels gather more food?
Answer 9: Female squirrels gather more food.
Why do female squirrels gather more food?
Answer 10: Female squirrels gather more food because they need to eat more to support their larger bodies.
Which gender of squirrels is more active?
Answer 11: Male squirrels are typically more active than female squirrels.
Why are male squirrels more active?
Answer 12: Male squirrels are more active because they need to burn more calories to support their larger bodies.
Which gender of squirrel is more likely to be seen in the daylight?
Answer 13: Female squirrels are more likely to be seen in the daylight.
Why are female squirrels more likely to be seen in the daylight?
Answer 14: Female squirrels are more likely to be seen in the daylight because they are more active during the day.
What time of day are male squirrels more active?
Answer 15: Male squirrels are more active at night.
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.
