Why is the Mount Graham Red Squirrel Endangered? 
Besides habitat destruction, why is the mount Graham red squirrel endangered? There are several reasons, from wildfires to disease to mountaintop telescopes. This article explores each reason. To learn more about the issues that threaten the red squirrel’s survival, read on. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends! It’s likely that they will appreciate the effort! Hopefully you’ll take action.
Wildfires
Wildfires have severely affected the Mount Graham red squirrel’s habitat, causing the population to decline. In addition to wildfires, the squirrels also face reduced food sources and decreased cover from predators. As a result, the Mount Graham red squirrel population has decreased and introduced species are outcompeting the native animals for limited resources. Fortunately, the endangered red squirrel is not completely gone yet.
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Maricopa Audubon Society have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Interior, and other federal agencies for failing to protect the red squirrels from wildfires. This lawsuit alleges that the government failed to evaluate the severity of the squirrels’ losses. A lawsuit could help the red squirrel’s recovery. But the lawsuit isn’t the end of the story.
Disease
In the U.S., the Mount Graham red squirrel is critically endangered because of disease and habitat fragmentation. The species is now found only in one state, the Pinaleno Mountains, and is facing a variety of challenges, including disease and invasive competitors. Additionally, the population is increasingly impacted by destructive insects. To better understand these issues, researchers are studying how the species responds to defoliation.
The species is restricted to upper-elevation Pinalenos forests in Arizona. Their diet consists primarily of seeds and fruits from conifer trees. They are highly territorial and have lower reproductive rates than other red squirrel species. The Mount Graham red squirrel was listed on the endangered species list in 1987, but it is recovering. A collaboration between the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Coronado National Forest, and Native American tribes is helping to recover the species.
Mountaintop telescopes
While the use of mountaintop telescopes may be exciting, the mounting threat to the red squirrel is real. Mount Graham is a sacred mountain to the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the encroachment of telescopes has led to a sharp decline in the red squirrel’s population. In response, the University of Arizona has built seven multimillion-dollar telescopes on two peaks, in violation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s opinion.
The environmental groups who oppose the construction of a mountaintop observatory on Mt. Graham have focused on the fact that the construction of telescopes will kill the Mount Graham red squirrel, an endangered species. Unfortunately, this has not happened, as the project only affects 8.6 acres of the mountaintop. Environmentalists say this is eco-terrorism. The US Forest Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department surveyed the mountaintop to document its plant and animal life.
Habitat destruction
The red squirrel lives in the woods of southeastern Arizona. Its preferred habitat is Engelmann spruce and corkbark fir, and its range includes mixed conifer zones. Despite their size, the Mount Graham red squirrel is still an endangered species, and habitat destruction is the main reason for its decline. In addition to habitat destruction, the Mount Graham red squirrel suffers from other problems, such as predators.
The Mount Graham International Observatory, a vast astrophysical complex owned by the University of Arizona, is located within the range of the gray squirrel. The Smithsonian Institution, which supports the conservationists, has argued that this project is necessary to protect the red squirrel, but is opposed to any development there. The Sierra Club also claims that the proposed project would destroy habitat and violate other laws.
What is the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The Mount Graham red squirrel is a subspecies of red squirrel that is found in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona in the United States.
What is the scientific name for the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The scientific name for the Mount Graham red squirrel is Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis.
What is the range of the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The Mount Graham red squirrel is found in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona in the United States.
How many subspecies of red squirrel are there?
There are five subspecies of red squirrel.
What is the diet of the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The Mount Graham red squirrel feeds primarily on the seeds of cones from fir and spruce trees as well as on mushrooms insects and other nuts.
How big is the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The Mount Graham red squirrel is about the same size as a chipmunk.
They have a body length of about 9 to 10 inches and a tail length of about 5 to 6 inches.
What is the lifespan of the Mount Graham red squirrel?
The Mount Graham red squirrel has a lifespan of about 10 years in the wild.
How many Mount Graham red squirrels are left in the wild?
It is estimated that there are only about 50 Mount Graham red squirrels left in the wild.
Why are Mount Graham red squirrels endangered?
Mount Graham red squirrels are endangered because of loss of habitat fire suppression and introduced species.
What is the primary threat to Mount Graham red squirrels?
The primary threat to Mount Graham red squirrels is the introduced species of squirrel.
What is the difference between the Mount Graham red squirrel and other red squirrels?
The Mount Graham red squirrel is a subspecies of red squirrel that is found in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona in the United States.
What are the conservation efforts for Mount Graham red squirrels?
Conservation efforts for Mount Graham red squirrels include habitat protection and management captive breeding and release and public education.
Where can I see Mount Graham red squirrels?
The best place to see Mount Graham red squirrels is in their natural habitat in the Pinaleño Mountains of Arizona in the United States.
What can I do to help Mount Graham red squirrels?
Some things that you can do to help Mount Graham red squirrels are to support conservation efforts avoid development in their habitat and do not introduce non-native species into their habitat.
What is the status of Mount Graham red squirrels?
As of 2016 the status of Mount Graham red squirrels is endangered.
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.
