Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)–Excitable Rodent in the Trees
Did you Know?
They can eat mushroom species that are deadly for humans.
Twice a year they replace all the fur on their body.
They can smell their nut hoards even under 4 m of snow.
Photo : 2015 Brian Popelier
Habitat – Coniferous and deciduous forests and woodlands
Size – 27 - 39 cm in length, 200 – 250 grams in weight
Range – Throughout Canada and the northern and eastern United States.
Status – S5, Secure in Ontario and Canada
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
Identification:
They are larger than Chipmunks but smaller than Eastern Gray Squirrels. They usually have reddish fur all over except for their white underbellies. Their fur can also be brown or grey in colour. Males and females are very difficult to tell apart. Vocalizations include a clucking sound, bird like calls and the most common, a loud chatter when disturbed.
Photo : 2016 Brian Popelier
Interesting Facts
They are preyed upon by many other animals including birds of prey, Foxes, Coyotes, large cats and Fishers. When threatened by a predator they make alarm calls to warn other squirrels in the area and they have different calls depending on the type of predator. They make a call with a high frequency for flying predators and a barking call for land predators.
They are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, although most of their diet is seeds from coniferous trees. When seed production is down they eat a varied diet of mushrooms, tree sap, insects, bark and even birds eggs and nestlings.
The female is only ready to breed for one day so when she is ready several males will chase after her for the chance to mate. She will actually mate with multiple males, sometimes up to 14 individuals.
Red Squirrels on the Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment is a perfect home for this feisty little mammal, offering them a natural corridor in which to travel through Southern Ontario. You will often see them scurry across the trail as you walk along then they will sit on a branch and scold you for bothering them with their familiar chatter. They are very common all along the Bruce Trail as the forests which the BTC protects provides them an ideal home to live and raise their young.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]