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Squirrel Affairs

© N. Lou Lyons

Distinct and sometimes annoying, the chit chit chatter from the mouth of a squirrel is a familiar sound here in Pennsylvania. Native to our state, the small mammals survive in virtually every area. Cities, college campuses, small town back yards, rural areas and forests have become home to these rodents from the Sciuridae family

Greek for shadow tail, Sciuridae can be divided into three separate groups; tree, ground, and flying. Squirrels from all three groups live here and capture the hearts of both admirers and hunters, or are thought to be a nuisance to others. Either way it's a squirrel affair.

Groundhogs are from the Sciuridae family but they are not called squirrels. Eastern grays Sciurus carolinensis are the most common species of the whiskered animals. The least known is the Delmarvia fox squirrel Sciurus niger cinereus which has been placed on both the state and federal endangered species list.

Although the Eastern Gray is widely known throughout the state, a variation of this species is less often seen in certain parts of the state. The black phase eastern gray is quite common in some areas yet nonexistant in others. More rare is an albino.

Fox squirrels Sciurus niger are very similar to grays, just a bit larger with some coloration differences. Red squirrels Tamiasciurus hudsonicus are a smaller animal than fox and grays.

Eastern gray, fox, and red are all tree squirrels. Nests are built in trees where they live and raise the young. Now is a good time of year to catch the sight of a squirrel nest. Look for a ball of dried leaves high among the branches of older trees.

Tree squirrels breed from mid winter through early spring, depending on the species. Sometime around 40 - 44 days later a handful of young are born. A summer litter may follow for the gray squirrels.

Squirrels eat nuts and fruit from trees. These animals do not hibernate so they bury food in many different places for winter feeding. The red squirrel tends to store one large cache in a single place. In the spring, young shoots & buds give the squirrel a diet of fresh food. Bird eggs and young birds may be consumed as well as insects.

Red squirrels like nesting in conifer trees as opposed to oak, hickory and maple, and enjoy eating the young cones of white pine trees. If ever you run across a pine cone that has been torn apart, it may be the work of a squirrel. Corn is another sought after meal, while bird feeders have become a favorite restaurant for them. Some squirrels can be taught to eat right out of your hand.

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