SQUIRREL
Squirrels are
mammals in the family Rodentia (rodents). Probably one of the most familiar and
most observed wildlife species is the squirrel.
The gray
squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
is the most common species in Georgia.
It is found statewide in both rural and urban areas. Gray squirrel adult
weights range from 12 ounces to one and a half pounds. Though there is some
color variation among gray squirrels, most are very similar in appearance. The
slightly larger and more variably colored fox squirrel (S. niger) is also found statewide, but is
less common, more habitat specific, and has more of a sporadic, patchy
distribution. Adult fox squirrels range in weight from one pound to
nearly three pounds. Their hair is extremely variable, ranging from pure
black to pure blond with all sorts of intermediate color schemes.
Fox squirrels in Georgia tend to live near long leaf mature pines. Mature Piedmont and Coastal Plain pine stands with open understories and herbaceous ground cover seem to be especially dominated by fox squirrels.
Fox squirrels will eat many of the same foods as gray squirrels, including acorns and nuts of those oaks and hickories. Fox squirrels love to eat pine seeds. They also eat buds and fruits of other trees and fungi. A small portion of the fox squirrel diet is from animal matter such as insects and other arthropods and small vertebrates.
Fox squirrels will use leaf nests (dreys) and cavity nests. Fox squirrels tend to use more leaf nests than other squirrels.
Fox squirrels usually breed in late winter and again in late summer. Not all females will raise two broods a year, however. About two or three young are born in each litter. The female raises the young squirrels. The babies are born blind and helpless. The mother cares for and feed them for 8-12 weeks. Fox squirrels usually live about 10 years in the wild. The biggest enemy of fox squirrels are snakes and raptors (owls and hawks) and even foxes and bobcats.
Fox squirrels will eat many of the same foods as gray squirrels, including acorns and nuts of those oaks and hickories. Fox squirrels love to eat pine seeds. They also eat buds and fruits of other trees and fungi. A small portion of the fox squirrel diet is from animal matter such as insects and other arthropods and small vertebrates.
Fox squirrels will use leaf nests (dreys) and cavity nests. Fox squirrels tend to use more leaf nests than other squirrels.
Fox squirrels usually breed in late winter and again in late summer. Not all females will raise two broods a year, however. About two or three young are born in each litter. The female raises the young squirrels. The babies are born blind and helpless. The mother cares for and feed them for 8-12 weeks. Fox squirrels usually live about 10 years in the wild. The biggest enemy of fox squirrels are snakes and raptors (owls and hawks) and even foxes and bobcats.
Both gray and fox squirrels are
associated with wooded habitats. Although they are often found together in the
same area (sympatric), there are some differences in their preferred
habitats.
Gray squirrels are most numerous in mature upland and bottomland hardwood forests. In developed areas gray squirrels can be found in parks and neighborhoods. Gray squirrel densities can be quite high in urban and suburban areas. Fox squirrels tend to be most closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats.
Oak acorns and hickory nuts provide the most nutritious food for squirrels, and they will also eat the flowers of these trees in the spring. Squirrels eat a variety of other foods including buds and flowers of other trees, dogwood fruit, mulberries, blackgum fruit, grasses, and various seeds.
Both gray and fox squirrels are diurnal and will use leaf nests and cavity nests. The use of cavity nests is probably dependent upon availability. Many mature oaks have cavities in the bole or limbs of the tree that provide protective cover for nesting. Fox squirrels tend to use more leaf nests than gray squirrels. A leaf nest is called a drey and is abandoned when it becomes too soiled for use.
Tracks are usually in a leaping pattern. Another common sign of squirrel activity is chewed pinecones, nut shells and other forms of food trash.
Gray squirrels are most numerous in mature upland and bottomland hardwood forests. In developed areas gray squirrels can be found in parks and neighborhoods. Gray squirrel densities can be quite high in urban and suburban areas. Fox squirrels tend to be most closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats.
Oak acorns and hickory nuts provide the most nutritious food for squirrels, and they will also eat the flowers of these trees in the spring. Squirrels eat a variety of other foods including buds and flowers of other trees, dogwood fruit, mulberries, blackgum fruit, grasses, and various seeds.
Both gray and fox squirrels are diurnal and will use leaf nests and cavity nests. The use of cavity nests is probably dependent upon availability. Many mature oaks have cavities in the bole or limbs of the tree that provide protective cover for nesting. Fox squirrels tend to use more leaf nests than gray squirrels. A leaf nest is called a drey and is abandoned when it becomes too soiled for use.
Tracks are usually in a leaping pattern. Another common sign of squirrel activity is chewed pinecones, nut shells and other forms of food trash.
