This article discusses the habitat, diet, courtship, and predators of the grey squirrel. It’s time for a little fun, so get ready to learn about this little animal. It’s the perfect animal to introduce to children and newcomers. You may be surprised to discover how much you already know. Keep reading to find out! This article focuses on the Eastern Grey Squirrel.
Table of Contents
Habitat
The habitat of the gray squirrel varies widely depending on its population and range. The eastern grey squirrel can be found in Eastern United States and western Canada. It has also been introduced into western United States and parts of Canada. In some regions it is considered a pest, which can threaten native red squirrels. It is primarily found in deciduous and mixed-coniferous forests. Its numbers vary from rare to common.
Diet
The diet of the grey squirrel consists of nuts, berries, seeds, fungi, tree bark, and even other small animals. Although primarily grey, they can be white or reddish. Their diet is very diverse, and they are very active in the winter when they scavenge for food and water. Their diet includes a wide variety of foods, including insects, fruit, and vegetables. During this time of year, they will also share their drey with up to 24 other squirrels.
Courtship
The courtship of the grey squirrel begins in late autumn and reaches its peak in early January, when males and females are in high heat and attracted to one another. The female rejects the first suitor and mates with multiple males in a competitive effort to be her mate. During courtship, the female leaves scent marks on branches to attract suitors, and the males follow and compete for the female’s attention.
Predators
What biome does the gray squirrel live in? The answer largely depends on its habitat. This nocturnal rodent spends most of its time in the day. It is most active two to three hours after sunrise and again around sunset. During the winter, this species is mostly sedentary, spending the hottest part of the day resting in their dens. However, it does occasionally visit stores of nuts during midday.
Color
The name Sciurus is derived from two Greek words, “shadow” and “tail.” Its first known record in the Carolinas is the name Sciurus carolinensis. The gray squirrel is also known as the eastern gray or western gray squirrel. Its eyes are angled slightly upward, making them well suited to high-light conditions. Their eyes also feature a “blind spot,” or blind area, located at the lower edge of their visual field, which helps them keep a complete view of the sky.
Activity peak
The activity peak of the grey squirrel is measured in several ways. Most studies report activity patterns of an entire population or group. However, natural selection works on an individual level and requires detailed data on daily life of single individuals. Using low-disturbance continuous recording, scientists were able to determine how much variation between individuals exists within each activity peak. This study highlights the importance of estimating the intensity of individual activity to understand the patterns of resource partitioning in the wild.
Size
The size of a grey squirrel varies from nine to twelve inches. Depending on the species, they weigh between one and two pounds. They are recognizable by their salt and pepper coat. These animals also display a variety of coloration and are known for their long bushy tails. Eastern gray squirrels live in the eastern United States. The following chart shows the size and composition of grey squirrel populations in the United States.
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.
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