Eastern Grey Squirrel As a Pet
If you’re thinking about getting an eastern grey squirrel as a pet, you’re not alone. These adorable creatures can make excellent pets for the right environment. Learn about their life span, Diet, Communication calls, and Breeding season in this informative article. Read on to learn more about these adorable creatures! And don’t forget to read up on their native habitats, too! Learn more about this adorable and unique animal at PetSmart.
Breeding season
The breeding season of eastern gray squirrels can be very different from the rest of the year. The gray squirrel is an opportunistic feeder and has varied diets depending on the season. In summer, the eastern gray squirrel mainly eats winged maple seeds and acorns. Autumn and winter see them eating pine seeds and hard nuts like butternuts. They also prey on young birds and insects.
Nests and dens are the preferred dwelling places for these creatures. These structures are densely packed masses of twigs and leaves and are usually located high in the forked branches of large trees. Nests and dens are weatherproof and are used to raise young. A nest is the preferred nesting location for gray squirrels. While it can be found in the same places as dens, nests are more difficult to find.
Diet
The diet of eastern gray squirrels varies according to seasons and location. During the summer, they eat winged maple seeds. They also eat a variety of wild fruits, seeds, nuts, and fungi. In the fall and winter, they eat acorns, pine seeds, and other nuts. They also gnaw on bones and shed antlers. While they may be nocturnal, they are often visible at dusk.
The diet of an eastern gray squirrel consists of mainly plant-based foods. They also take advantage of bird feeders. However, a study in Scotland found that Reds ate fungi throughout the year, with their consumption peaked in September and November. In winter, they also ate conifer bark and buds. During the spring, they also ate deciduous seeds, fruit, and flowers.
Lifespan
The eastern gray squirrel has a relatively long life, averaging 12 to 20 years in captivity. The lifespan of a squirrel depends on its environment and whether or not it is protected from predators. In the wild, most squirrels are killed before they reach adulthood. In captivity, the lifespan of an eastern grey squirrel can be as long as 20 years. The lifespan is shorter for males than for females.
A gray squirrel may mate twice a year if food is abundant. The females enter estrus at five months and are fertile by one year. Male eastern grays become sexually mature between one and two years of age. The reproductive longevity of female eastern grays is eight to 12 years in North Carolina and around 20 years in captivity. In their natural environment, their lifespan is shorter than the life span of their rodent counterparts.
Communication calls
The vocal repertoire of the eastern gray squirrel includes alarm calls, which are produced by 75% of species with known vocal repertoires. However, a small proportion of these species only produce one type of call. Nevertheless, this study highlights that hybrid species of squirrels often exhibit intermediate calls that resemble the calls of both parent species. In addition, hybrids may possess additional characteristics, such as visual displays, which are helpful in classifying these species.
In addition to warning calls, the eastern gray squirrel also has two alarm calls that can be attributed to different scenarios. These warning calls are made when a predator approaches. These warning calls are described as a series of barks or buzzing sounds produced through their nostrils. They are both low-intensity and nearly inaudible. They are followed by a similar call, known as a quaa, which is a modified version of the kuk.
Nesting
If you’d like to get an eastern gray squirrel as a pet, you’ll find the right place in the United States. They’re commonly found in forks of trees, but they can also be found in attics. Regardless of where they live, their nesting habits can make a house a hazard for homeowners. These rodents typically produce litters of one to four young.
The Eastern Grey Squirrel lives mostly in trees, so it’s no surprise that they move with great agility. They can run up and down tree trunks up to 25 km/h, and they move head-first when they’re climbing. They often sit motionless on the bark of a tree, but they can also run very fast. Despite their speed, however, they’re very sensitive to human contact.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Pennsylvania?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Pennsylvania.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in California?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in California.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New York?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New York.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Massachusetts?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Massachusetts.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Rhode Island?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Rhode Island.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New Hampshire?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New Hampshire.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Ohio?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Ohio.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Maine?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Maine.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Michigan?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Michigan.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New Jersey?
No it is illegal to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in New Jersey.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Vermont?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Vermont.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Connecticut?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Connecticut.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Delaware?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Delaware.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Maryland?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Maryland.
Can you have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Virginia?
Yes as of 2020 you are able to have an Eastern Grey Squirrel as a pet in Virginia.
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.
