What Kind of Squirrel Has a Blond Tail? 
So, what kind of squirrel has a blonde tail? Well, this question has been on my mind for quite some time. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of squirrels with beautiful blonde tails, but do you know why? Susan Cira emailed me with an update. Her squirrel now has progeny with one spot of blonde tail. The other squirrels don’t seem to notice.
Sciurus carolinensis
The sciurus carolinensis is a melanistic gray squirrel found in the eastern United States. Its name is derived from Greek words meaning gray and squirrel, and refers to the species found in the Carolinas. The sciurus carolinensis species has 5 recognized subspecies, each with a unique color pattern. The blonde tail of this species is indicative of a mate that is in a molting stage.
The Sciurus carolinensis is present in 20 of the Pleistocene faunas of North America, from the late Irvingtonian in Florida to the early Pliocene in Maine. Despite its widespread distribution and recent reintroduction, the Eastern Gray Squirrel has experienced a number of changes in habitat, including the clearing of forested land for agricultural use. This largely replaced the gray squirrels with other species.
American red squirrel
The most noticeable distinction between the two species is the color of their tails. In contrast to their reddish coats, their tails are blonde in color. While this coloration is usually considered a trait of the British subspecies, there are cases where the American red squirrel has a blonde tail. This is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A few species of squirrels are white, while others are black or gray.
The American red squirrel is more northern than other squirrel species. Its range extends into the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. In the north, it is found in conifer forests. This species feeds mainly on seeds and cones of evergreen trees. It weighs about a half pound. This species can be easily distinguished from the grey and black squirrels due to its red tail. A female American red squirrel is only able to reproduce at one year of age, but can delay until two years of age.
Grey squirrel
The Grey Squirrel is a common species of squirrel, primarily found in cities. Birdfeeders, city parks, and even man-made structures that attract squirrels are common habitats for these mammals. However, there are rare variations in color and appearance. Albino grey squirrels are very rare, and white squirrels are more common in southern England and parts of North America. Interestingly, melanistic gray squirrels can be found on the UW-Stevens Point campus.
While it’s possible that a grey squirrel’s tail is actually blonde, it’s not the only colour difference in this species. There are also some Red squirrel populations that exhibit white tails during the summer. Moreover, some White squirrels also show white tails, especially in their summer pelage. Though the white tail is rare, this trait is present in up to one in every three greys in some regions of the United States.
Two-tone squirrel
The two-toned or blonde-tailed squirrel has a black body and a brown-colored tail. The two-tone coloration is a result of a complex deposition process, which may be inherited or acquired. The squirrels’ gray tails can be distinguished by looking at two different individuals with similar fur coloration. Alternatively, you may be lucky enough to see a squirrel with only phaeomelanin on its tail.
The dark-furred version of the squirrels is a genetic mutation. This color morph produces more melanin than their lighter-colored counterparts. This color morph is found in the northern half of the country, where it was once the dominant color morph before European settlement. The grey and urbanization of the country led to an increased rate of graying in the population. But this color morph has not disappeared entirely, as it still remains a significant part of the landscape.
Flying squirrel
If you’ve ever noticed a Flying Squirrel, you may have been confused about its appearance. This is actually just an adjective for a squirrel’s coloration. These squirrels are actually melanistic, which means they’re a bit darker than their black-tailed cousins. Because of this, they have a wide field of view, but a very limited ability to judge depth and frontality. Because of this, they must constantly be scanning the ground for threats and use their complex “bob and weave” behaviors to estimate distance.
Colour variation in squirrels is not a new phenomenon. Scientists have discovered that the reason for this isn’t a single gene, but several. This means that one gene controls the colour, but other genes contribute to the overall appearance. It may not be so obvious, but it’s interesting to know that the MC1R gene is partially responsible for the blonde tail of some Flying Squirrels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of squirrel has a yellow tail?
The yellow-tailed squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. The yellow-tailed squirrel is found in the forests of North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland.
The yellow-tail is the largest member of the genus Tamiasciurus and is one of the largest tree squirrels in North America. The yellow-tailed squirrel has a body length of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in), and a tail length of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in). The fur of the yellow tail is brown on the upper body, and pale on the underside.
The tail is yellow and is tipped with black. The yellow tail is an arboreal creature and is most often seen in trees. The yellow-tail is an omnivore and feeds on a variety of plant and animal matter.
What is a blonde squirrel?
A blonde squirrel is a squirrel with blonde fur.
Is there such a thing as a blonde squirrel?
There are various reports of blonde squirrels, but it is unclear if they are truly a separate species or simply a variant of the common squirrel.
Some scientists believe that the blonde squirrel is a product of genetic mutations, while others believe they are a separate species altogether. Regardless, these animals are quite rare and are often considered a novelty.
Are Leucistic squirrels rare?
There is no definitive answer to this question since there is no accurate data on the global population of leucistic squirrels. However, leucism is a relatively rare genetic mutation, so it is safe to say that leucistic squirrels are not common.
Are white-tailed squirrels rare?
White-tailed squirrels are not particularly rare, although they are not as common as some other types of squirrels. They can be found in many parts of North America, including both Canada and the United States. In some areas, they are more common than in others.
What is a piebald squirrel?
A piebald squirrel is a squirrel with white fur and black spots.
Are there black and white squirrels?
Yes, there are both black and white squirrels. In fact, there are many different colors of squirrels, but black and white are the most common.
How many different colors of squirrels are there?
There are many different colors of squirrels, but the most common are brown, gray, and black.
Are black squirrels more aggressive than grey squirrels?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as there is no scientific evidence to support or refute the claim that black squirrels are more aggressive than grey squirrels.
However, some people believe that black squirrels are more aggressive than grey squirrels, as they are typically more territorial and protective of their homes.
Do white squirrels mate with grey squirrels?
According to some experts, white squirrels actually do mate with gray squirrels. The resulting offspring are usually born gray, but may gradually turn white as they mature.
However, others contend that while white and gray squirrels may live in close proximity to one another, they typically don’t mate.
What is the most common type of squirrel in North America?
The Eastern gray squirrel is the most common type of squirrel in North America.
What kind of squirrel has a blonde tail?
The Eastern fox squirrel has a blonde tail.
Where do squirrels live?
Squirrels typically live in trees but can also be found in bushes grasslands and even urban areas.
What do squirrels eat?
Squirrels are mainly herbivores but will also eat insects and other small animals.
Their diet consists of seeds nuts fruits and bark.
How long do squirrels live?
The average lifespan of a squirrel is 6-10 years in the wild but can be up to 20 years in captivity.
How many squirrel species are there?
There are over 200 species of squirrels worldwide.
What is the smallest type of squirrel?
The African pygmy squirrel is the smallest type of squirrel.
It is about 5-6 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce.
What is the largest type of squirrel?
The Indian giant squirrel is the largest type of squirrel.
It is about 3 feet long and can weigh up to 2 pounds.
What is the difference between a squirrel and a chipmunk?
The main difference between squirrels and chipmunks is that chipmunks have stripes on their backs while squirrels do not.
How do squirrels mate?
Squirrels mate once a year typically in the winter.
After a 45-60 day gestation period the female gives birth to 1-8 young.
How do squirrels communicate?
Squirrels communicate through a variety of vocalizations including chattering whistling and barking.
They also communicate through scent marking.
What are some predators of squirrels?
Some predators of squirrels include snakes birds of prey and other small mammals.
What do baby squirrels look like?
Baby squirrels are born furless blind and deaf.
They gain their fur at about 3 weeks old and open their eyes at around 6 weeks old.
How do squirrels keep warm in the winter?
In the winter squirrels will huddle together for warmth and also use their tails as blankets.
How do squirrels stay cool in the summer?
In the summer squirrels will stay in the shade and pant to regulate their body temperature.
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.
