The American Red Squirrel
The red squirrel is classed as a mammal of the Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Tamiasciurus Species: T. hudsonicus. The American Red Squirrel is a species of squirrel also known as the pine squirrel. The hudsonicus species was the first catalogued red squirrel and was found in and around the Hudson Bay area, Canada. The American red squirrel is of medium size (200 – 250g) and its foraging and feeding habits are diurnal. It defends and protects its exclusive territory on a permanent basis. There are 25 known sub species of red squirrels and the other most common red squirrel is the Douglas squirrel: T. douglasii.
The American Red Squirrel is widely distributed across North America. Their range includes the majority of Canada and extends south into the United States – primarily habituating the Rocky Mountains, the North Central and North East areas.
The diet of these red squirrels is related to why they are called “pine squirrels” in that they eat the seeds of coniferous tree cones. Considered primarily as granivores the American red squirrels also incorporate other food items within their diet. These squirrels are opportunistic feeders and studies have shown that 50% of the American Red Squirrel’s diet consists of eating the buds and needles of spruce trees, the leaves of willows, bearberry flowers and berries, poplar buds and catkins, mushrooms and bird eggs. Cones of spruce are harvested by red squirrels in the fall and are stored in a cache and provide energy and nutrients for survival over the cold winter months and for reproduction in the following spring.
Red squirrel nests are primarily constructed of grass in the branches of spruce trees. Or cavities in the trunks of poplar, spruce and walnut trees. Each individual squirrel builds and has available several nests within its territory and females with young offspring move between different nesting sites..
American red squirrels have a high mortality rate with an estimated 22% of squirrels surviving to one year of age. If a red squirrel can survive to the age of 3, it has done well. Females that survive their first year have a life expectancy of 2.3 years and a maximum lifespan of eight years.
Depending on the abundance of food supplies the female will mate and breed at one year of age. She normally produces only one litter per year but has been known to produce two litters of 3 to 4 offspring. The baby squirrels are born pink and hairless and weigh approximately 10grms. The young squirrels are nursed by their mothers for 70 days. After this time the young squirrel has to establish its own territory – sometimes within its mother’s territory. Juveniles without a midden ( a collection of fallen scales from consumed seed cones) prior to their first winter do not survive the cold, chilly winter months.
American red squirrels fall prey to the northern goshawk, red-tailed hawk, the great horned owl, lynx, coyote, wolf and weasel.
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