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Environmental Stewardship

Squirrels of Indiana

Center for Earth and Environmental Science

Victoria Schmalhofer (Feb. 2021) of Indiana

by

Victoria R. Schmalhofer

The following is a guide to the squirrels of For more information about the in this Indiana. It includes all seven members of guide (geographic range, skull photographs, dental the family (Sciuridae) found in the formulas, tracks, diet, ecology, behavior, etc.), see Purdue University Extension Service’s The Nature state. Both common and rare species are of Teaching program: Common Indiana : included. Natural History and Identification.

The guide covers squirrels and ground A lesson plan for teachers can be found at: squirrels. https://ag.purdue.edu/extension/nature/Pages/lesson.aspx

The wildlife guide can be found at: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-413- W.pdf

- VR Schmalhofer, February 2021

Citation: Schmalhofer, VR. “Squirrels of Indiana.” Center for Earth and Environmental Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. February 2021, www.cees.iupui.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Indiana-Squirrels.pdf. Accession date. Squirrels of Indiana

Indiana is home to seven members of the Squirrel family (Sciuridae).

These can be separated into two general groups:

Tree Squirrels Ground Squirrels Squirrel Eastern

Eastern Gray Squirrel Thirteen-lined

Red Squirrel Woodchuck Southern ( niger)

Fox Squirrels are the largest of Indiana’s tree squirrels. These squirrels are darker above and lighter below, with a mix of orange, brown, black, and gray on the back and sides, and various shades of orange on the underside. Orange coloration ranges from a dull, pale orange to a rich, rusty golden-orange. The tail is thick and bushy and is typically as long (or longer than) the body.

weight: 504-1207 g (17.7-42.6 oz.)

length: 418-627 mm (16.5-24.7 in.) Fox Squirrels are the most common large in central Indiana. life span: up to 13 years in the wild Fox Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Gray Squirrels are medium-sized tree squirrels. The fur on the back and sides is a mix of gray, brown, and black; the fur on the underside is white. The tail is thick and bushy and is typically as long as the body.

Eastern Gray Squirrels are known for variability in color. Melanistic (black) and albino variants are relatively common. True leucistic (white) squirrels are rare (one such population exists in ).

weight: 403-610 g (14.2-21.5 oz.) is known for its albino Gray Squirrels. length: 404-530 mm (15.9-20.9 in.) Princeton University is known for its black Gray Squirrels. life span: up to 13 years in the wild Eastern Gray Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Red Squirrels, also called Squirrels, are one of the smallest of Indiana’s tree squirrels. Fur on the sides is grayish to brownish, often with a red or olive tone; reddish-brown fur runs along the midline of the back, extending from head to tail; the underside is white. The tail is thick and bushy, but somewhat short compared to other squirrels.

weight: 150-252 g (5.3-8.9 oz.) White crescents border the eyes. The reddish region on the back becomes brighter in winter, and black tufts at the tips of length: 262-390 mm (10.3-15.4 in.) the ears may be evident. A narrow black band separates the white belly fur from the darker sides; this band fades in life span: generally ~ 3 years in the wild winter. Red Squirrel

winter color summer color

Red Squirrels are also called Pine Squirrels because they prefer to feed on from the cones of , , hemlocks, and fir . Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Southern Flying Squirrels are the smallest species of tree squirrel in Indiana. Fur on the back is gray to gray- brown; the underside is white. The tail is short (shorter than the body) and flattened. The eyes are very large. A loose flap of skin (patagium) stretches from wrist to ankle and allows the squirrel to glide for considerable distances – up to 30 m (100 ft).

Unlike other tree squirrels (which are diurnal), flying squirrels are nocturnal.

weight: 45-113 g (1.6-4.0 oz.)

length: 196-256 mm (7.7-10.1 in.)

life span: up to 10 years in the wild ( striatus)

Eastern are small ground squirrels. Fur on the back and sides is reddish-brown; on the back, fur has white or gray tips, so this region appears grayish, or even silvery. The sides, where fur lacks gray/white tips, are reddish-brown; the underside is white. These chipmunks have five black stripes and two light stripes running down the back. The tail is relatively slim and short.

weight: 90-149 g (3.2-5.2 oz.)

length: 183-275 mm (7.2-10.8 in.)

life span: ~ 2 years in the wild Eastern Chipmunk Although technically a ground squirrel, Eastern Chipmunks do climb trees on occasion.

Eastern Chipmunks are known for stuffing their cheek pouches with seeds. Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel ( tridecimlineatus)

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels are easily recognized by the 13 stripes on their backs: six gray/tan stripes and seven dark brown stripes. The dark brown stripes contain rows of white spots. These ground squirrels prefer open, grassy areas; they do not inhabit .

weight: 110-280 g (3.9-9.9 oz.)

length: 170-297 mm (6.7-11.7 in.)

life span: up to 3 years in the wild Woodchuck (Marmota monax)

Woodchucks are the largest member of the squirrel family in Indiana. Fur is uniformly grayish-brown on the back and somewhat reddish on the belly. Woodchucks are rotund and generally slow-moving (compared to smaller species of squirrels). Although they are good climbers, Woodchucks are not as agile as tree squirrels. Woodchucks are better known for their digging and are most commonly seen in open grassy areas; can be found in forested areas near the woodland border.

weight: 2-5.8 kg (4.8-12.8 lbs.)

length: 44-70 cm (17.3-27.6 in.)

life span: up to 6 years in the wild The squirrels you are most likely to see in the Indianapolis area during your winter and early spring tree surveys are Red Squirrels . . . . .

Eastern Chipmunks . . . . . Partially leucistic Fox Squirrel (juvenile)

. . . . . and Fox Squirrels. Information Sources and Photo Credits

Chapman, RN and Williams RN. “Common Indiana Mammals.” The Nature of Teaching. FNR-413, May 2010. Purdue University Extension Service/Department of Forestry & Natural Resources: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-413-W.pdf.

Photo Credits:

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Patrikeev, M. ”Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel." Found, Common Indiana Mammals, FNR-413, 10 February 2021. www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-413-W.pdf

Southern Flying Squirrel Missouri Department of Conservation. ”Southern Flying Squirrel." Found, Common Indiana Mammals, FNR-413, 10 February 2021. www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-413-W.pdf

All other photographs: Victoria R. Schmalhofer