Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

Most squirrels have long, bushy tails that help them keep their balance as they move through the trees.

Red Squirrel

Scientific Name	Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Classification	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae
Status	Stable
Range	North America
Habitat	Forests
Diet	Nuts, buds, bark, fruits, mushrooms, seeds; occasionally - mice, fledglings, eggs
Size	Body length: 17-20 inches Tail length: 8 - 9½ inches Weight: 14-25 ounces
Lifespan
Location
Print Fact Sheet	Red Squirrel

Special Features

Squirrels often have several nests: one in a tree for warm weather, one in a tree trunk for winter, and an "alternative" weather tight tree nest.
Squirrels are known for storing nuts and other food for the winter. They may hide their cache in one storage spot, or they may bury individual nuts.

Behavior

Squirrels usually mate in midwinter. Young are usually born in the spring after a gestation period of 45 days. A second litter may be born in late summer. Usually 2-4 young are born per litter. Young are weaned at about 50 days of age.