TREE SQUIRRELS in WISCONSIN: Benefits and Problems
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Lab 6 – Order Roden)A, Family Sciuridae
Lab 6 – Order Roden.a, Family Sciuridae Need to know Cynomys spp—ID based on skull Cynomys ludovicianus—ID based on skin, n. history C. leucurus—ID based on skin, n. history Glaucomys sabrinus—ID based on skin or skull, n. history Marmota flaviventris—ID based on skin or skull, n. history Sciurus niger—ID based on skin or skull, n. history Spermophlius spp—ID based on skull Spermophilus armatus—ID based on skin, n. history S. elegans—ID based on skin, n. history S. lateralus—ID based on skin, n. history S. tridecemlineatus—ID based on skin, n. history Tamias spp—ID based on skull Tamias amoenus—ID based on skin, n. history T. minimus—ID based on skin, n. history Tamiasciurus hudsonicus—ID based on skin and skull, n. history 1 2 Order Roden.a, Family Sciuridae—squirrels 1) Reduced infraorbital foramen 2) Postorbital processes conspicuous and pointed 3 Cynomys spp—prairie dogs 1) Anterior view of skull similar to Marmota, with postorbital processes at 90o from frontals 2) Rows of cheek teeth converge posteriorly 4 C. ludovicianus (black-tailed prairie dog) 1) Yellowish pelage 2) Relatively long, black tail Natural history --Shortgrass prairie specialist --Does not hibernate --98% range collapse between ~1900 and 2000; historically about 5 billion individuals, now about 1.5 million (i.e., 0.05% of historic numbers) --Reduce economic returns from cattle (~$14 per steer per year) --Keystone species ”hunted” by people 5 Cynomys leucurus (white-tailed prairie dog) 1) Yellowish pelage 2) Relatively short, white tail 3) Black “eyebrows” Natural history --Steppe specialist --Hibernates --Occurs in colonies smaller than C. -
Squirrels and Allies (Sciuridae Spp.)
Squirrels and Allies (Sciuridae Spp.) There are about 275 species of tree, ground, and flying squirrels throughout the world, ranging from the five-inch pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio) of Africa to the nearly three-foot giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) of Asia. Currently, there are five species of squirrel found in Rhode Island: The Eastern gray squirrel, the Southern flying squirrel, the red squirrel, the chipmunk, and the woodchuck. Tree squirrels are those species that nest in trees, while ground squirrels nest in underground burrows. This publication is intended to provide information on the above species found in Rhode Island. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Gray squirrels are the most common species of squirrel in Rhode Island. They are a tree squirrel, however they spend much of their time on the ground, and have adapted well to human-altered environments. They are commonly found in urban and suburban habitats. Gray squirrels can be grayish-brown, gray or black, with a white or light brown underside. Adults range in size from 15 to 20 inches, and between 1 to 1 ½ pounds. Their bushy tail accounts for almost half of their length. Gray squirrels may live between four and eight years in the wild, but they have been known to live up to ten years in captivity. They are active mainly during the day and do not hibernate. In the winter they spend days at a time in their nests, leaving only to gather food. Their habitat is mainly any wooded area with mast producing trees, where they live in tree cavities or leaf nests. -
The Dynamics of Pine Marten Predation on Red and Grey Squirrels
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341099392 The dynamics of pine marten predation on red and grey squirrels Article in Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde · May 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00031-z CITATION READS 1 246 3 authors: Joshua P Twining Ian Montgomery Queen's University Belfast Queen's University Belfast 10 PUBLICATIONS 21 CITATIONS 241 PUBLICATIONS 4,723 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE David G Tosh National Museums of Northern Ireland 30 PUBLICATIONS 375 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Northern Ireland artificial den box scheme for pine marten View project Origins of Irish mammals View project All content following this page was uploaded by Joshua P Twining on 28 September 2020. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Mammalian Biology https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-020-00031-z ORIGINAL ARTICLE The dynamics of pine marten predation on red and grey squirrels Joshua P. Twining1 · W. Ian Montgomery1 · David G. Tosh2 Received: 12 October 2019 / Accepted: 3 April 2020 © The Author(s) 2020 Abstract Invasive alien species pose one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. In parts of Europe, introduced eastern grey squir- rels (Sciurus carolinensis) have caused regional extinctions of the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). However, exposure to pine martens (Martes martes) has been demonstrated to reverse the competitive outcome between red and grey squirrels. The mechanism whereby this efect occurs remains unclear. It is hypothesised that direct predation, facilitated by a lack of behavioural response, is the mechanism driving this relationship. -
Symposium on the Gray Squirrel
SYMPOSIUM ON THE GRAY SQUIRREL INTRODUCTION This symposium is an innovation in the regional meetings of professional game and fish personnel. When I was asked to serve as chairman of the Technical Game Sessions of the 13th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners this seemed to be an excellent opportunity to collect most of the people who have done some research on the gray squirrel to exchange information and ideas and to summarize some of this work for the benefit of game managers and other biologists. Many of these people were not from the southeast and surprisingly not one of the panel mem bers is presenting a general resume of one aspect of squirrel biology with which he is most familiar. The gray squirrel is also important in Great Britain but because it causes extensive damage to forests. Much work has been done over there by Monica Shorten (Mrs. Vizoso) and a symposium on the gray squirrel would not be complete without her presence. A grant from the National Science Foundation through the American Institute of Biological Sciences made it possible to bring Mrs. Vizoso here. It is hoped that this symposium will set a precedent for other symposia at future wildlife conferences. VAGN FLYGER. THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE GRAY SQUIRREL, SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS, TO ITS NEAREST RELATIVES By DR. ]. C. MOORE INTRODUCTION It seems at least slightly more probable at this point in our knowledge of the living Sciuridae, that the northeastern American gray squirrel's oldest known ancestors came from the Old \Vorld rather than evolved in the New. -
Tree Squirrels
Tree Squirrels When the public is polled regarding suburban and urban wildlife, tree squirrels generally rank first as problem makers. Residents complain about them nesting in homes and exploiting bird feeders. Interestingly, squirrels almost always rank first among preferred urban/suburban wildlife species. Such is the Figure 1. The Eastern gray squirrel is from the deciduous paradox they present: We want them and we don’t and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of eastern North want them, depending on what they are doing at any America, and was introduced into city parks, campuses, given moment. and estates in Washington in the early 1900s. (Drawing by Elva Paulson) Although tree squirrels spend a considerable amount of time on the ground, unlike the related ground squirrels, they are more at home in trees. Washington is home to four species of native tree squirrels and two species of introduced tree squirrels. Native Washington Tree Squirrels The Douglas squirrel, or chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii) measures 10 to 14 inches in length, including its tail. Its upper parts are reddish-or brownish-gray, and its underparts are orange to yellowish. The Douglas squirrel is found in stands of fir, pine, cedar, and other conifers in the Cascade Mountains and western parts of Washington. The red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Fig. 4) is about the same size as the Douglas squirrel and lives in coniferous forests and semi-open woods in northeast Washington. It is rusty-red on the upper part and white or grayish white on its underside. The Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus, Fig. 2) is the largest tree squirrel in Washington, ranging from 18 to 24 inches in length. -
2015 Disease Summary
SUMMARY OF DISEASES AFFECTING MICHIGAN WILDLIFE 2015 ABSCESS Abdominal Eastern Fox Squirrel, Trumpeter Swan, Wild Turkey Airsac Canada Goose Articular White-tailed Deer Cranial White-tailed Deer Dermal White-tailed Deer Hepatic White-tailed Deer, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey Intramuscular White-tailed Deer Muscular Moose, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey Ocular White-tailed Deer Pulmonary Granulomatous Focal White-tailed Deer Unspecified White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Canada Goose Skeletal Mourning Dove Subcutaneous White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Mute Swan Thoracic White-tailed Deer Unspecified White-tailed Deer ADHESION Pleural White-tailed Deer 1 AIRSACCULITIS Egg Yolk Canada Goose Fibrinous Chronic Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wild Turkey Mycotic Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose Necrotic Caseous Chronic Bald Eagle Unspecified Chronic Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Mute Swan, Redhead, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Mourning Dove Unspecified Snowy Owl, Common Raven, Rock Dove Unspecified Snowy Owl, Merlin, Wild Turkey, American Crow Urate Red-tailed Hawk ANOMALY Congenital White-tailed Deer ARTHROSIS Inflammatory Cooper's Hawk ASCITES Hemorrhagic White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, Beaver ASPERGILLOSIS Airsac American Robin Cranial American Robin Pulmonary Trumpeter Swan, Blue Jay 2 ASPERGILLOSIS (CONTINUED ) Splenic American Robin Unspecified Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swan, Canada Goose, Common Loon, Ring- billed Gull, American Crow, Blue Jay, European Starling BLINDNESS White-tailed Deer BOTULISM Type C Mallard -
Species Factsheet: Red Squirrel (Sciurus Vulgaris) [email protected] 023 8023 7874
Species Factsheet: Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) [email protected] www.mammal.org.uk 023 8023 7874 Quick Facts Recognition: Fur colour variable from bright ginger through to red and dark brown or black tinged with grey in winter; larger ear tufts in mid-winter which disappear by the summer; bushy tail which bleaches white by late summer in some individuals. Size: 180-240mm, tail about 175mm. Weight: Juveniles: 100-150g; Adults up to 350g. Life Span: They survive for up to six years in the wild. Distribution & Habitat Red squirrels spend about three-quarters of their active time above ground in trees and shrubs, and are at home in both conifer forests and broadleaved woodland. The distribution of red squirrels has declined drastically in the last 60 years and they are now extinct in southern England except for a few on the Isle of Wight and two small islands in Poole Harbour. Elsewhere in central Britain they are confined to rather isolated populations in Wales (notably Anglesey) and around Formby in Merseyside. Red squirrels are still widespread in the North of England and Scotland, and in Ireland, but even here their range is contracting. General Ecology Behaviour Red Squirrels are active during the daytime, though in summer it may rest for an hour or two around mid-day. Squirrel nests, or dreys, are constructed of twigs in a tree fork, above a whorl of branches close to the stem of a conifer, or, less visibly, in a hole in a tree. They are lined with soft hair, moss and dried grass. -
Aberts-And-Pine-Squi
The Nature of Teller Photos and article courtesy of Mark J. Platten, CSU Extension Director, Teller County The Nature of Teller explores the various flora and fauna of Teller County, identifying common life forms you might encounter, and focusing on prevalent insects, diseases, and invasive species that may affect the wellbeing of the residents of the county. This week’s emphasis is on the two native tree squirrels you might encounter while hiking through the forest: Abert’s and pine squirrels. The Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti) is associated almost solely within the montane (8,000-10,000 foot) forest ecosystem. They are quite distinct because of their tufted, or tasseled, ears and black coat. Interestingly, their ear tufts diminish in the spring and summer months, while their fur color can range from the typical black to gray. Abert’s squirrels make their home among mature ponderosa pine, appearing to use taste to select trees with the most nutritional value. They rely on the ponderosa pine for all aspects of their life including food, nesting, and cover. They are not known to defend territories, perhaps because their home range is quite large, averaging nearly 20 acres. Their preferred food is the seeds of the ponderosa cone although their summer diet contains a high proportion of fungi. You might observe them holding the cone like an ear of corn, slowly rotating it as they remove the cone scales to unveil the meaty seeds. Unlike many of their relatives, Abert’s squirrels do not store large caches of food in the nest although they occasionally bury a cone. -
Book Review: “The Eurasian Red Squirrel: Sciurus Vulgaris” by Stefan Bosch and Peter Lurz
Management of Biological Invasions (2012) Volume 3, Issue 1: 61–63 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2012.3.1.07 Open Access © 2012 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2012 REABIC Book Review Book Review: “The Eurasian Red Squirrel: Sciurus vulgaris” by Stefan Bosch and Peter Lurz Sandro Bertolino Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, Via L. da Vinci 44, I-10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy E-mail: [email protected] Corresponding author Received: 20 July 2012 / Accepted: 20 October 2012 / Published online: 15 December 2012 When I had Bosch and Lurz’s book “The also goes in depth in the management and Eurasian Red Squirrel: Sciurus vulgaris” (2012) conservation problem of this species. The two in my hands, I thought: at last! This is the hundred pages are enriched by 81 illustrations English edition of the German book ‘Das and 14 tables. The pictures are never glamorous, Eichhörnchen: Sciurus vulgaris’. I got the the authors do not seek to strike the reader with opportunity to see the German version of the their beauty as in many other books, the photos book during a congress and it seemed to me a are used to describe the fine details of the great book, but the judgment was based only on animals, their behaviour and the environment in the assessment of the topics covered, the which they live. The book is based on a deep extensive literature used as reference, the knowledge of the species and the ongoing iconography included and the knowledge that research throughout Europe. The twenty-two Peter Lurz is a leading squirrel expert in Europe. -
Fort Riley Hunting Guide
FORT RILEY HUNTING GUIDE The Fort Riley Military Reservation is located in northeast Kansas between Manhattan and Junction City. About 71,000 of the installation's 101,000 acres are managed for multiple-use, including wildlife management. Hunting is allowed on Fort Riley when compatible with the post's primary mission of military training. Fort Riley has a diverse and abundant wildlife resource, which is a product of the post's good habitat conditions. Native tall-grass prairie is well interspersed with riparian and upland woodlands and shrublands creating diverse habitat conditions. Coupled with this native habitat is almost 1,600 acres of land leased for agricultural crop production on the installation's perimeter boundary. Another 700 acres of wildlife food plots, ranging in size from 1/2 to 15 acres, are planted in the interior of the Post each year. Nine principal game species are available to the Fort Riley hunter: bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, greater prairie-chicken, mourning dove, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, elk, cottontail rabbit and fox squirrel. In addition to these species, good populations of raccoon, bobcat and coyote exist on Post. Waterfowl hunting opportunities can be fantastic along the rivers when the ponds and shallow water wetland areas start freezing over, as well as most Central Flyway "puddle" ducks can be found on Fort Riley's numerous ponds and lakes during the fall migration. REGULATIONS On Fort Riley, all State of Kansas and federal hunting regulations (bag limits, season lengths, hunting hours, methods of take, etc.) are in force unless otherwise noted in the Fort Riley Hunting and Fishing Regulations, FR Reg. -
Mammals of the Finger Lakes ID Guide
A Guide for FL WATCH Camera Trappers John Van Niel, Co-PI CCURI and FLCC Professor Nadia Harvieux, Muller Field Station K-12 Outreach Sasha Ewing, FLCC Conservation Department Technician Past and present students at FLCC Virginia Opossum Eastern Coyote Eastern Cottontail Domestic Dog Beaver Red Fox Muskrat Grey Fox Woodchuck Bobcat Eastern Gray Squirrel Feral Cat Red Squirrel American Black Bear Eastern Chipmunk Northern Raccoon Southern Flying Squirrel Striped Skunk Peromyscus sp. North American River Otter North American Porcupine Fisher Brown Rat American Mink Weasel sp. White-tailed Deer eMammal uses the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for common and scientific names (with the exception of Domestic Dog) Often the “official” common name of a species is longer than we are used to such as “American Black Bear” or “Northern Raccoon” Please note that it is Grey Fox with an “e” but Eastern Gray Squirrel with an “a”. Face white, body whitish to dark gray. Typically nocturnal. Found in most habitats. About Domestic Cat size. Can climb. Ears and tail tip can show frostbite damage. Very common. Found in variety of habitats. Images are often blurred due to speed. White tail can overexpose in flash. Snowshoe Hare (not shown) is possible in higher elevations. Large, block-faced rodent. Common in aquatic habitats. Note hind feet – large and webbed. Flat tail. When swimming, can be confused with other semi-aquatic mammals. Dark, naked tail. Body brown to blackish (darker when wet). Football-sized rodent. Common in wet habitats. Usually doesn’t stray from water. Pointier face than Beaver. -
Habitat Fragmentation Provides a Competitive Advantage to an Invasive Tree Squirrel, Sciurus Carolinensis
Biol Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-017-1560-8 ORIGINAL PAPER Habitat fragmentation provides a competitive advantage to an invasive tree squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis Tyler Jessen . Yiwei Wang . Christopher C. Wilmers Received: 13 April 2017 / Accepted: 2 September 2017 Ó Springer International Publishing AG 2017 Abstract Changes in the composition of biological (Sciurus griseus) by non-native eastern gray tree communities can be elicited by competitive exclusion, squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). We tested this wherein a species is excluded from viable habitat by a hypothesis along a continuum of invasion across three superior competitor. Yet less is known about the role study sites in central California. We found that within of environmental change in facilitating or mitigating the developed areas of the University of California at exclusion in the context of invasive species. In these Santa Cruz campus and city of Santa Cruz, S. situations, decline in a native species can be due to the carolinensis excluded S. griseus from viable habitat. effects of habitat change, or due to direct effects from The competitive advantage of S. carolinensis may be invasive species themselves. This is summarized by due to morphological and/or behavioral adaptation to the ‘‘driver-passenger’’ concept of native species loss. terrestrial life in fragmented hardwood forests. We We present a multi-year study of tree squirrels that classify S. carolinensis as a ‘‘driver’’ of the decline of tested the hypothesis that tree canopy fragmentation, native S. griseus in areas with high tree canopy often a result of human development, influenced the fragmentation. Future habitat fragmentation in west- replacement of native western gray tree squirrels ern North America may result in similar invasion dynamics between these species.