American Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Red squirrels create 'middens'—massive piles of discarded cone scales that can be several feet deep and are used by generations of the same squirrel family.
- Scientific name
- Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Tamiasciurus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Coniferous and mixed forests, particularly those with spruce, pine, and fir trees.
- Diet
- Primary consumer of conifer seeds; also eats fungi, acorns, bird eggs, and occasionally tree sap.
- Range
- Canada, Alaska, Rocky Mountains, Northeastern United States, Appalachian Mountains
- Size
- 28 to 35 cm in length, weighing approximately 200 to 250 grams.
- Lifespan
- 2 to 4 years in the wild; up to 10 years in captivity.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and predation by American martens, hawks, and domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless but highly territorial. Observe from a distance as they may 'scold' you with loud chatters. Do not attempt to handle; if bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice to prevent infection.
The American red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) is one of three species of tree squirrel currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus , known as the pine squirrels (the others are the Douglas squirrel, T. douglasii , and Mearns's squirrel, T. mearnsi ). American red squirrels are also referred to as pine squirrels , North American red squirrels , and chickarees . They are medium-sized (200–250 g) diurnal mammals that defend a year-round exclusive territory. The diet of these tree squirrels is specialized on the...
Photo: DaPuglet, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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