Did you know there are over 200 species of squirrel living all over the world?!
Each species has its own unique way of life. Some squirrels live in trees, while others live underground; some can even fly!
Each species has its own unique way of life. Some squirrels live in trees, while others live underground; some can even fly!
I am a Western Grey Squirrel (Sciurus griseus)!
We can be found living high in trees along the West Coast of the United States and Mexico. I prefer to live alone. I do not hibernate during the winter so I have to store food by burying it in the ground during the rest of the year. Western grey squirrels such as myself are "scatter- hoarders", which means we store each nut or seed we find in a different location.
I am a California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)! We live on the West Coast of the United States and Baja California. I live in a burrow underground, surrounded by my close buddies. Some populations of ground squirrels will hibernate through the winter, dependent on the weather conditions in the area where they live. Other California Ground Squirrels may store small amounts of food in our burrows, and forage above ground throughout the year.
I am a Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)!
We can be found primarily in the eastern United States, however, we have also moved into many urban areas along the west coast. Fox squirrels are "arboreal", meaning we live in trees. We do come down to the ground to forage and to store food for the winter. Like the western grey squirrel, we too are scatter-hoarders, storing each of our saved food items in separate locations. I tend to live alone, but may nest with others in the winter to stay warm!
I am a Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)!
I can be found in the Pacific northwest, from northern California to southwestern Canada and I am a close cousin to the North American Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). I love eating pine tree cones and reproductive structures of fungi. I am a shy, solitary squirrel who doesn't like to socialize with others. I am a larder hoarder which means I hide all my nuts for the winter in one location and I fiercely defend my midden and territory! I am important for old-growth forest health because I spread around fungal spores during foraging which provides essential nutrients to the soil and tree roots.
I can be found in the Pacific northwest, from northern California to southwestern Canada and I am a close cousin to the North American Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). I love eating pine tree cones and reproductive structures of fungi. I am a shy, solitary squirrel who doesn't like to socialize with others. I am a larder hoarder which means I hide all my nuts for the winter in one location and I fiercely defend my midden and territory! I am important for old-growth forest health because I spread around fungal spores during foraging which provides essential nutrients to the soil and tree roots.
I am the Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis)! I'm the third-known species of flying squirrel in North America, a fact that eluded scientists for over two centuries. Originally, researchers classified me within the Northern Flying Squirrel species (Glaucomys Sabrinus). However, recent genetic and historical studies revealed we are a distinct and previously unknown species of flying squirrels. Stretching from Southern British Columbia to Southern California, you'll find me dwelling in coniferous and mixed coniferous forests. My diet is diverse, encompassing plant material, sap, bird eggs, insects, and fungi. Instead of flying, I glide with the help of a patagium, which is a parachute-like membrane that extends from my wrist to my ankle, and I use my puffy tail to maneuver and brake. Not only do my foraging habits foster tree growth through increasing mycorrhizae and dispersing fungal species, but I also possess many unique characteristics. I glow pink under ultraviolet light, and I communicate through ultrasonic vocalization, which many hypothesize is a strategy to avoid detection from potential predators.
Citations:
Arbogast, B., Kerhoulas, N., & others. (2017). New flying squirrel species discovered along North America’s Pacific Coast. Humboldt NOW. https://now.humboldt.edu/news/new-flying-squirrel-species-discovered-along-north-americas-pacific-coast Farwell, T. A., Diggins, C. A., & Clucas, B. (2024). Ultrasonic vocalizations of Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis). Western North American Naturalist, 84(1), 53-66. https://doi.org/10.3398/064.084.0105 Humboldt’s flying squirrel: A new species uncovered by genetic studies. (2023). BioOne. https://bioone.org/journal/10.3388/wna.2023 https://leerentz.wordpress.com/2022/02/15/glowing-pink-flying-squirrels-biofluorescence-revealed/
Arbogast, B., Kerhoulas, N., & others. (2017). New flying squirrel species discovered along North America’s Pacific Coast. Humboldt NOW. https://now.humboldt.edu/news/new-flying-squirrel-species-discovered-along-north-americas-pacific-coast Farwell, T. A., Diggins, C. A., & Clucas, B. (2024). Ultrasonic vocalizations of Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis). Western North American Naturalist, 84(1), 53-66. https://doi.org/10.3398/064.084.0105 Humboldt’s flying squirrel: A new species uncovered by genetic studies. (2023). BioOne. https://bioone.org/journal/10.3388/wna.2023 https://leerentz.wordpress.com/2022/02/15/glowing-pink-flying-squirrels-biofluorescence-revealed/
I am an Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii)!
You can find me across the vast landscapes of Alaska, Siberia, and parts of Canada. I love to eat vegetation, eggs, invertebrates, and small vertebrates, including my sibling’s young. Males, like me, are aggressive and defend our territories and mating partners from other males, but this behavior comes at a cost, as it can lead to heightened stress levels, resulting in a high male mortality rate.
One unique feature of ours is the ability to lower our body temperatures to freezing levels. Scientists are exploring inducing body cooling, inspired by our hibernation process, as a part of effective treatments for stroke or other brain injuries. This cooling and rewarming process may not only slow brain damage but also promote regeneration of synapses and neurons, offering hope for mental health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Even NASA is attempting to induce a hibernation-like state in astronauts to aid space travel.
You can find me across the vast landscapes of Alaska, Siberia, and parts of Canada. I love to eat vegetation, eggs, invertebrates, and small vertebrates, including my sibling’s young. Males, like me, are aggressive and defend our territories and mating partners from other males, but this behavior comes at a cost, as it can lead to heightened stress levels, resulting in a high male mortality rate.
One unique feature of ours is the ability to lower our body temperatures to freezing levels. Scientists are exploring inducing body cooling, inspired by our hibernation process, as a part of effective treatments for stroke or other brain injuries. This cooling and rewarming process may not only slow brain damage but also promote regeneration of synapses and neurons, offering hope for mental health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Even NASA is attempting to induce a hibernation-like state in astronauts to aid space travel.
Citations:
Sheriff, M. J., Fridinger, R. W., Tøien, Ø., Barnes, B. M., & Buck, C. L. (2013). Metabolic rate and prehibernation fattening in free-living Arctic ground squirrels. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 86(5), 515-527. https://doi.org/10.1086/673092
Richter, M. M., Williams, C. T., Lee, T. N., Tøien, Ø., Florant, G. L., Barnes, B. M., & others. (2015). Thermogenic capacity at subzero temperatures: How low can a hibernator go? Physiological Biochemical Zoology, 88(1), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1086/679591
I'm the Malayan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor)!
My home stretches from northern Nepal and southern China to Vietnam and the Malaysian Peninsula, but human activities like settlement expansion and logging are threatening our habitat, leading to a 30% decline in our population over the past decade. That's why I'm now listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. I have striking jet black upperparts and a long, limp, flat tail, with cream or orange underparts. Despite my large size, reaching over 32 inches with a 15 inch tail, I'm quite shy and prefer solitude. I mainly stay in the canopy, jumping from tree to tree using my tail to balance, acting as a counterweight. This helps me move swiftly through the forest, avoiding predators like Wallace's Hawk Eagle or large snakes. I communicate with my fellow squirrels through vocal chirps and barks, especially when danger lurks nearby. My diet consists of seeds, pine cones, fruits, and leaves, and I play a crucial role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds of trees, contributing to forest regeneration.
Citations:
Duckworth, J. W., & Molur, S. (2016). Ratufa bicolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T19377A22261810.en
Thorington, R. W., Jr., & Hoffmann, R. S. (2005). Mammals of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Duckworth, J. W., & Molur, S. (2016). Ratufa bicolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T19377A22261810.en
Thorington, R. W., Jr., & Hoffmann, R. S. (2005). Mammals of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
- I am an African pygmy squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio)
- I am from the Microsciurus genus, mainly found in western Central Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, northwestern Congo, and Equatorial Guinea's Bioko island. Weighing on average 16.5 grams, I am the smallest squirrel in the world. I'm quite the loner, skilled in navigating branches both upside down and right-side up, a unique trait among my squirrel kin. My great hearing, vision, and sense of smell helps me to navigate my habitat, while my vibrissae, or whiskers, act as invaluable tools for sensing my surroundings. When nearby danger lurks, I emit a low-intensity alarm vocalization, a faint pipping sound, that alerts others of potential threats. Unlike many other squirrel species, I don't hide or store food, instead I spend my days tirelessly foraging and scavenging for bark scrapings, insects, fruits, and oily spores from microscopic fungi. While I may not have a significant impact on my surroundings due to my small size, my dependence on tree fungus may indirectly influence tree growth.
Citations:
Critter Science. (2022, February 7). The African pygmy squirrel. Critter Science. https://critter.science/african-pygmy-squirrel/
Thorington, R. W., & Hoffmann, R. S. (2005). Mammals of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
Critter Science. (2022, February 7). The African pygmy squirrel. Critter Science. https://critter.science/african-pygmy-squirrel/
Thorington, R. W., & Hoffmann, R. S. (2005). Mammals of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
I am a Bornean Pygmy Squirrel, also known as the Least Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus exilis)!
You can find me on the island of Borneo, including the smaller island of Banggi just off the northern coast of Sabah. I have a unique diet as a bark gleaner, primarily feeding on bark and lichen. My fur is mostly olive brown, with touches of orange brown on my neck and head, and my belly is a pinkish color. While a lot remains unknown about me, I'm recognized for my small size, measuring between 10 to 14 centimeters in total length and weighing between 12 to 26 grams. Alongside the African pygmy squirrel, I hold the title of the world's smallest squirrel. Females, like me, experience postpartum estrus, enabling us to conceive shortly after giving birth, even before completing the weaning process of our previous litter. This helps in environments with unpredictable resources, enhancing population resilience. We also face significant challenges due to habitat loss. Our preference for lowland forests puts us at risk as these habitats undergo extensive degradation.
You can find me on the island of Borneo, including the smaller island of Banggi just off the northern coast of Sabah. I have a unique diet as a bark gleaner, primarily feeding on bark and lichen. My fur is mostly olive brown, with touches of orange brown on my neck and head, and my belly is a pinkish color. While a lot remains unknown about me, I'm recognized for my small size, measuring between 10 to 14 centimeters in total length and weighing between 12 to 26 grams. Alongside the African pygmy squirrel, I hold the title of the world's smallest squirrel. Females, like me, experience postpartum estrus, enabling us to conceive shortly after giving birth, even before completing the weaning process of our previous litter. This helps in environments with unpredictable resources, enhancing population resilience. We also face significant challenges due to habitat loss. Our preference for lowland forests puts us at risk as these habitats undergo extensive degradation.
Citations:
Zoomology Blog. (2017, December 2). Amongst the world’s smallest squirrels: The Bornean Least Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus exilis). Zoomology. https://zoomologyblog.wordpress.com
Ecology Asia. (n.d.). Bornean pygmy squirrel. Ecology Asia. Retrieved December 2, 2017, from https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/bornean-pygmy-squirrel.htm
IUCN Red List. (2017). Exilisciurus exilis (Bornean pygmy squirrel). IUCN Red List. https://www.iucnredlist.org
Zoomology Blog. (2017, December 2). Amongst the world’s smallest squirrels: The Bornean Least Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus exilis). Zoomology. https://zoomologyblog.wordpress.com
Ecology Asia. (n.d.). Bornean pygmy squirrel. Ecology Asia. Retrieved December 2, 2017, from https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/bornean-pygmy-squirrel.htm
IUCN Red List. (2017). Exilisciurus exilis (Bornean pygmy squirrel). IUCN Red List. https://www.iucnredlist.org
I am the Golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis),
Known for my distinctive golden-red mantle that extends from my head to my shoulders. Though often mistaken for chipmunks, I stand apart with a larger, more robust frame, a shorter tail, and different stripe patterns. You'll often encounter me across Canada and the United States. I thrive in mixed coniferous and coniferous forests, as well as mountainous regions and sagebrush. My diet is versatile, encompassing acorns, herbs, fungi, small birds, insects, and eggs. During the winter months, I hibernate, accumulating extra weight in the summer to sustain me through this dormant period. Breeding season kicks off when both males and females emerge from hibernation in the spring. Males, typically polygynous, fight for territory upon emergence, with females following suit two to three weeks later. Adults, like me, generally lead solitary lives, but we congregate during mating seasons and at food-rich sites where we establish a hierarchy within these gatherings, each vying for our share of resources.
Citations:
National Park Service. (2020, October 22). Golden-mantled ground squirrel. Yellowstone National Park. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/golden-mantled-ground-squirrel.htm
New Hampshire PBS. (n.d.-a). Golden-mantled ground squirrel - Callospermophilus lateralis. NatureWorks. https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/goldensquirrel.htm
New Hampshire PBS. (n.d.-b). Golden-mantled ground squirrel - Callospermophilus lateralis. Wildlife Journal Junior. https://nhpbs.org/wild/goldenmantledgroundsquirrel.asp
National Park Service. (2020, October 22). Golden-mantled ground squirrel. Yellowstone National Park. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/golden-mantled-ground-squirrel.htm
New Hampshire PBS. (n.d.-a). Golden-mantled ground squirrel - Callospermophilus lateralis. NatureWorks. https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/goldensquirrel.htm
New Hampshire PBS. (n.d.-b). Golden-mantled ground squirrel - Callospermophilus lateralis. Wildlife Journal Junior. https://nhpbs.org/wild/goldenmantledgroundsquirrel.asp