How to Identify a Squirrel in Your Yard 
Squirrels are classified in the phylum Chordata and subphylum Vertebrata. They are classified within the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, and family Sciuridae. For more information, see The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition, 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. Here are some common questions to help you learn more about squirrels. How do you identify a squirrel in your yard?
Sciuridae
The family Sciuridae includes the red squirrel and other tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying or scaly-tailed squirrels. The family also includes the anomaluridae, the other group of rodents. There are currently 270 species of squirrels, ranging in size from small to enormous. Each of these species have distinct characteristics and are classified in a different phylum in the animal kingdom.
The Sciuridae are divided into two subgenera, the Grey and the Red. The former contains thirty species, and the latter includes eight subgenera. The two species found in the United Kingdom are a part of the Red squirrel, but they are not identical. The red squirrel, however, does have a larger family of subspecies than the grey. This fact makes them one of the most diverse families in the animal kingdom.
Tree squirrels
The family of rodents known as tree squirrels includes a large number of species. They are considered important for maintaining the forest ecosystem and for their aesthetic value. However, humans sometimes trap them for their fur and meat. Cooked squirrel is still a popular food item in early American cookbooks, and a red squirrel’s pelt can be worth as much as $1 million in Canada. If you see a squirrel in your neighborhood, be sure to leave them alone and avoid touching them.
The family of tree squirrels includes several subspecies that live in forests throughout Eurasia and North America. The species include the European red squirrel, fox squirrel, eastern gray and western gray, and Douglas squirrel. Tree squirrels are omnivorous, eating a variety of plant foods and even small mammals and birds. Their main source of food is acorns. But unlike the ground squirrel, they also eat carrion and insects.
Ground squirrels
The microbiota of ground squirrels contains eight different bacterial phyla, with the majority of sequences belonging to the groups Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia. The least abundant phylum is Cyanobacteria, followed by Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, and Actinobacteria. These phyla include the genera Clostridium, Oscillospira, and Coprococcus. The Mothers microbiota is composed of a different phylum, Euryarchaea.
The microbiota of ground squirrels is remarkably diverse, despite the fact that they spend most of the year hibernating. However, their microbiotas show a marked difference in their metabolic capabilities. Spring squirrels exhibit a greater phylogenetic diversity than Late Winter hibernators, which likely reflects their higher competitive abilities to survive. The microbiotas of ground squirrels vary based on the phylum in which they live.
Pygmy squirrels
Pygmy squirrels are members of the Sciuridae family and are the smallest of the rodents. They weigh around 33 grams and have a body length of nine to twelve centimeters, as well as an equally long tail. The smaller African pygmy is even smaller, weighing only thirteen to twenty grams and having a shorter tail. There are three main types of pygmy squirrels.
In the Sciuridae family, pygmy squirrels are arboreal. They live in trees and are endemic to Southeast Asia. They are believed to live in lowland forests, where they use tree cavities for nesting. This type of habitat is threatened by human-made development, as well as encroaching forest. In addition, conservation efforts do not appear to be very effective in protecting the species.
Abert’s squirrel
There are a few ways to tell if an Abert’s squirrel is in the correct phylum. While it is primarily herbivorous, the Abert’s squirrel can also be classified as a mycophagist. It eats cones, seeds, pollen, and the inner bark of ponderosa pine trees. It also eats mistletoe and fungi.
The lifespan of an Abert’s squirrel is three to four years, although the longest recorded age in captivity was 10 years old. The animal reaches maturity in the 11th or 12th month. In its native habitat, the species breeds during the months of February to June. The young are born without fur and have closed eyes. They are sexually mature by 327 days. Despite its long lifespan, the Abert’s squirrel has been known to show aggressive behavior.
What is the scientific name for the phylum that includes squirrels?
Answer 1: Chordata
What are some of the defining characteristics of Chordata?
Answer 2: Chordates are animals that possess a spinal chord and they are classified into three subphyla: vertebrates cephalochordates and urochordates.
How many subphyla are there within Chordata?
Answer 3: There are three subphyla within Chordata.
What is the name for the subphylum that includes vertebrates?
Answer 4: The name for the subphylum that includes vertebrates is Vertebrata.
What is the name for the subphylum that includes cephalochordates?
Answer 5: The name for the subphylum that includes cephalochordates is Cephalochordata.
What is the name for the subphylum that includes urochordates?
Answer 6: The name for the subphylum that includes urochordates is Urochordata.
What is the difference between cephalochordates and urochordates?
Answer 7: Cephalochordates are chordates that have a notochord that extends into their head while urochordates do not have a notochord that extends into their head.
What is a notochord?
Answer 8: A notochord is a stiff rod-like structure that provides support for the body and is found in chordates.
What are some other characteristics of chordates?
Answer 9: In addition to a notochord chordates also have a hollow dorsal nerve cord pharyngeal slits and a post-anal tail.
What is the difference between a squirrel and a vertebrate?
Answer 10: Squirrels are a type of vertebrate which means that they have a backbone.
What is the difference between a squirrel and a cephalochordate?
Answer 11: A squirrel has a backbone while a cephalochordate does not.
What is the difference between a squirrel and a urochordate?
Answer 12: Squirrels have a backbone and a notochord that extends into their head while urochordates do not have a backbone or a notochord that extends into their head.
Do squirrels have a notochord?
Answer 13: Yes squirrels have a notochord.
Do squirrels have a hollow dorsal nerve cord?
Answer 14: Yes squirrels have a hollow dorsal nerve cord.
Do squirrels have pharyngeal slits?
Answer 15: No squirrels do not have pharyngeal slits.
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.
