Douglas's Squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii

This squirrel creates massive piles of cone scales called 'middens' that can be used by successive generations for decades.

Scientific name

Tamiasciurus douglasii

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Tamiasciurus

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

forest

Habitat

Coniferous and mixed-evergreen forests, particularly those with mature Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce.

Diet

Primarily conifer seeds, but also consumes fungi, cambium, berries, and occasionally bird eggs.

Range

Pacific Northwest of North America, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Cascade Range, Coastal British Columbia

Size

27-35 cm in length; 150-300 grams

Lifespan

3-7 years in the wild

Active

diurnal

Threats

Habitat fragmentation and competition for resources with the invasive Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Safe to approach?

Harmless but highly territorial. Observe from a distance as they may 'scold' you with loud vocalizations or drop pine cones if they feel their midden is threatened. Do not attempt to handle or feed; if bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and consult a professional regarding infection risks.

The Douglas squirrel ( Tamiasciurus douglasii ) is a pine squirrel found in the Pacific coastal states of the United States as well as the southwestern coast of British Columbia in Canada. It is sometimes known as the chickaree or pine squirrel , although these names are also used for the American red squirrel. Variant spellings of the common name are Douglas' squirrel and Douglas's squirrel . The Native Americans of Kings River called it the "Pillillooeet", in imitation of...

Photo: Ken McMillan, CC-BY, via iNaturalist

Plain-text version: /species/94aaf82d-5bdb-457f-adb2-199adfb6552b.md