Squirrels

 Squirrels 

Red Morph Grey Squirrel in a front garden, circa 2016

Rodents are the most diverse order in the Mammalian Class and are present on every continent but Antarctica. The Carolinas has a sizeable number of rodents with most of them being mice or rats of various species. Beavers, and the nonnative Nutria are among the largest rodents around. The majority of mammals in our area are nocturnal or very secretive and you will probably overlook them on most outings. The exceptions to this include rabbits, and a familiar family of rodents known as squirrels. Squirrels are familiar to almost anyone who has visited a forest, park, or put out food for the birds. While most people can recongize the ubiquitous Grey Squirrel as well as its larger cousin the Fox Squirrel, many people are not aware that chipmunks, marmots (also called Wood Chucks or Groundhogs) and Prairie Dogs are in the same family as their tree dwelling counterparts. Squirrels are highly adaptable creatures that can thrive in human altered habitats, survive in harsh environments, and learn trips to outsmart their predators. Like birds, canines, felines, and primates, rodents are highly intelligent and recent studies have shown that squirrels, rats, and mice are able to learn new tricks,, problem solve, and engage in complex social behavior. 

Overview

Squirrels are part of the family Sciuridae and consist of small to medium sized rodents. They are present in most parts of the world and include arboreal species (like Tree Squirrels) and terrestrial species (like Marmots and Prairie Dogs). The squirrels we are the most familiar with are the Tree Squirrels. Unlike many of our mice, and rats, Tree Squirrels are diurnal and are often the only mammals we see during the daytime with White Tailed Deer, a few mice species, and foxes or coyotes being occasional exceptions. The Flying Squirrels are smaller than typical squirrels and have flaps of skin between their limbs to allow gliding. These squirrels are strictly nocturnal and are often overlooked. In total the Carolinas have three species of Tree Squirrel, two species of Flying Squirrel as well as the Eastern Chipmunk, and Eastern Marmot or Woodchuck. 

In the Cape Fear Region, the Grey, Fox, and Southern Flying Squirrel are the only species. You can find the Red Squirrel in mid or high-elevation coniferous forests in Appalachia, while the Northern Flying Squirrel also occurs in the highlands. Chipmunks can be reliably found west of Interstate 95 with Raleigh being the first place I have noticed them. As far as Marmots, they mostly occur closer to the mountain regions or High Piedmont (i.e. Greenville/Spartanburg-Charlotte-Greensboro westward). The Grey and Fox Squirrels are common throughout the Carolinas and often live in gardens, treed parks, and even urban centers. You will quickly become aquatinted to squirrels when they find a new bird table or feeder. While their "cuteness" and antics wear off quickly when birdfeeders are emptied or destroyed or your tulips bulbs disappear, we should appreciate squirrels as a part of the forest ecosystem, and the closest thing to having monkeys in our areas. 

Eastern Grey Squirrel 

Sciurus carolinensis  

Grey Squirrel in home garden, circa Dec 2013

The Grey Squirrel is the generic squirrel that everyone knows but not everyone loves and is ubiquitous in the Eastern Deciduous Forest and Southern Boreal Regions. They occur from Eastern Texas and Central Florida, north to the Southern Canada and into the Midwest. This squirrel was also introduced in Great Britain, Ireland, and parts of the Western United States and Canada where they push out native squirrels. In Ireland, Scotland, and England, the Grey Squirrel has pushed out the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) bringing that once common rodent to near extirpation. In the Carolinas, the Grey Squirrel is by far one of the most numerous animals in our woodlands and thrive all types of urban, suburban, and cultivated habitats with trees. Grey Squirrels are active year round and do not hibernate. 

Appearance: Grey Squirrels are generally medium-sized rodents that are distinguished by their bushy tails, fairly long toes, and short fur. They come in many color variations although they are usually grey or light brown with white undersides, and a pale or amber eye-ring. Some squirrels can be black, reddish, cinnamon color, pale, or even all white (like the White Squirrels in Etowah NC, and around the Pisgah National Forest in Appalachia). 

Size: Generally between 42-55cm (16-22") including the tail, which is a little larger than a Brown Rat.

Calls: Grey Squirrels make a variety of chatters, whines, and trill calls during interactions although their most distinctive calls is a rapid "Chuck-kuk-kuk" call, and a persistent mewing or whining call when there is a terrestrial or aerial predator in the area.

Habitat: Hardwood or mixed forests, village or town squares, parks, domestic gardens, orchard. They rely heavily on hickories, beeches, oaks, and pines for food sources and seem to be absent in areas without these trees. 

Foraging: Grey Squirrels are mostly arboreal and feed in the treetops and can jump between trees or scale trunks very quickly. They will often come down to the ground to forage, bury nuts, or travel to another area that is out of jumping range. They rarely stray more than 100m (330ft or so) from trees or shrubs as they are vulnerable to hawks and owls. 

Diet: Omnivorous, squirrels eat insects, spiders, and occasionally prey on bird eggs or young, and reptile hatchlings. Nuts and tree seeds are the most important part of their diet with hickory nuts, beechnuts, acorns, pine seeds, hazelnuts, and maple being particularly important. They also eat fruits or berries, tree bark, several mushroom species, and tree buds. Squirrels often consume seeds, nuts, or peanuts at feeders, bite into tomatoes or other crops, and raid cornfields. 

Breeding: Grey Squirrels raise 1-2 litters per year with one brood in the summer and another in the winter or early spring. 

Lifestyle: Grey Squirrels typically live in small family groups or colonies of 3-10 individuals and defend territories consisting of a cluster of trees, hedgerow, or high-value food sources. They construct large stick and leaf nests that are known as "Dreys" and are used for shelter, breeding, and to escape predators. They may also live in tree hollows, woodpecker holes, amongst dense brush (such as coppiced woodlands, brambles) and sometimes occupy attics and sheds. Squirrels fiercely defend their territories from other families and will chase each other on the ground or up and down trees giving threat displays, churring calls, and waving their tails. On rarer occasions, a squirrel will get into a melee battle that may result in injury or rarely death. Grey Squirrels are more aggressive during breeding cycles, and in the autumn when nuts and other food sources are vital for the winter. Grey Squirrels cache large amounts of nuts, seeds, and even other foods for the winter or to hide them from other squirrels as well as opportunistic crows, jays, and Red Bellied Woodpeckers. They can memorize hundreds or even thousands of cache sites, and employ tricks to deceive rivals, mislead crows, or even choose to hide their food in trees instead of in the ground. This level of intelligence is on the same level as primates, canines, and a number of bird species.  

White Morph Grey Squirrel in Etowah NC, June 2012

Learn More about Grey Squirrels with this Wikipedia Article 

Fox Squirrel 

Sciurus niger

Fox Squirrel at Brook Green Gardens SC (March 2019)

The Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in North America and is the larger cousin to the Grey Squirrel. This species overlaps with the Grey Squirrel in most areas but tends to be more common in the Midwest and Southern United States. It was also introduced in other parts of the world including the Western United States. In our area Fox Squirrels are less numerous than Greys and seem to prefer open areas with scattered trees including pinelands, agrarian areas, and suburbia, while the other species is more likely to be found in hardwood or mixed forests. The Fox Squirrel is also highly terrestrial and will go out into open areas, and use trees mainly to escape danger, find food sources, or construct dreys. Aside from their larger size, different habitat preferences, and mostly solitary behavior, they are very similar to Grey Squirrels and can overlap in most urban or suburban areas.   

Appearance: Similar to the Grey Squirrel except very large and stocky. While their fur pattern varies greatly and can be from reddish brown to black, the populations in the Cape Fear are often grey or black with whitish noses and undersides. They also have whitish tails.  

Size: Can range from 65-103cm (26-41") long including the tail. Some people say they are almost cat-sized. 

Calls: They have a diverse repertoire of calls, many of which are similar to the Grey Squirrel. They make chucking or churring sounds as well as a whining call that is given when there is a predator. These squirrels are often quiet outside of disturbances or courtship, while the Greys are highly vocal. 

Habitat: Mostly found in open woodlands with oaks or pines and an open understory. They also occupy pinelands, pastures, suburban areas, golf courses, and coastal forests. Fox Squirrels completely dense forests but they still need trees, copses, or hedges for shelter. 

Foraging: Fox Squirrels mostly feed on the ground or amongst dense shrubs, brambles or weeds although they will feed in treetops as well. While Greys often stay within a close distance to trees, this squirrel often goes out into fields or open areas to feed. Mostly solitary 

Diet: Includes insects, reptile or bird eggs as well as plant tubers, buds, fruits, and the seeds or nuts of various trees and plants. They stockpile acorns, hickories (esp Pecans), pine seeds, and beechnuts for the winter. Often raids bird tables and feeders and takes food at parks. 

Breeding: Raises 1-2 litters per year with one in the winter and another in the summer. Development for this species is slower than other species.

Lifestyle: As stated earlier, Fox Squirrels are generally more terrestrial than Greys and usually travel a good distance from trees or woodlands to feed. They are most likely to be seen alone or in pairs and seem not to defend territories or trees. The squirrels construct stick dreys or utilize woodpecker holes or tree hollows for shelter, and use trees to escape from predators. Fox Squirrels can jump very long distances (up to 4.5m, 15ft), and are very strong. It is not clear if Fox Squirrels displace Grey Squirrels or vice-versa. They share the same predators as well with Great Horned Owls, Red Tailed or Red Shouldered Hawks, Bobcats, Coyotes, and Grey Foxes being common predators to adults.  

Learn more about Fox Squirrels with this Wikipedia Article 

Southern Flying Squirrel 

Glaucomys volans   

Flying squirrel, photo by Michal Hays (Wikimedia Commons)

The Southern Flying Squirrel is one of two flying squirrels that can be found in the Carolinas with its northern counterpart (Glaucomys sabrinus) occurring only in spruce-fir forests in Appalachia. Both  species have the ability to glide between trees using a special membrane between their limbs and a tail that serves as a rudder. Flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal and are often overlooked, but are actually quite common. They are also among our smallest Tree Squirrels with the Red Squirrel also being a small species. 

Appearance: A small and unusual looking squirrel that has more of a mouselike appearance. This squirrel has short ears, large black eyes, a broad tail that is flat, and a furry membrane between their forearms and hind legs. Most individuals are greyish brown with white undersides. 

Size: Averages around 23cm (9") in length including its tail (which is up to 13cm or 5" long)

Calls: Flying squirrels make high pitched chip or chirp notes that sound similar to sparrows, warblers, or titmice. 

Habitat: Flying squirrels normally live in deciduous or mixed forests and woodlands with semiopen understories. They prefer beeches, oaks, and maples, and are almost the nighttime counterpart of the Grey Squirrel which also prefers deciduous forests. They also occupy wooded neighborhoods, city parks, and smaller woodlands. 

Foraging: Like other squirrels flying squirrels mainly forage for nuts, seeds, and plant matter. This species forages nocturnally in treetops and will glide between trees to avoid predators or move to other feeding areas. They stockpile seeds and nuts in cavities.

Diet: Flying squirrels eat mainly the seeds of maples, birch, alder, and poplar, as well as oaks, hickories, and pines. They also eat small insects, tree buds, and may come to bird tables at night. 

Breeding: Flying squirrels raise two litters per year and raise their young in tree holes or dreys made of leaves or sticks. Their homesites are often on the edge of woodlands. 

Lifestyle: Southern Flying Squirrels are sociable animals that often live in family groups or aggregations of 10 or more, and share dens during the daytime. They mostly remain in the treetops come down only to burry nuts or when they drop or land from the treetops. Flying squirrels are often preyed upon by Barred Owls, most hawks, weasels, and other predators. These squirrels may move into birdhouses placed in wooded areas.

Learn more about Flying Squirrels with this Wikipedia Article 

Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus: The Red Squirrel is a small Tree Squirrel that is mostly in Boreal Forests in Northern North America (there is also a Red Squirrel species in Europe) and occurs in the Appalachian Highlands. They are just barely larger than chipmunks (23cm or 9" long) and are reddish brown with white undersides. Red Squirrels live in small family groups and are highly territorial like their larger counterpart the Grey Squirrel. They make a trilling call and various birdlike calls, and are often tame and approachable. They live in tree nests or cavities, but may also make burrows or mounds in the ground. They rely heavily on pine, spruce, hemlock, or fir seeds but also eat  mushrooms, bark, insects, and fruits.

Red Squirrel in photographed in Appalachia (likely near Mount Mitchell, June 2012)

Learn more about Red Squirrels with this Wikipedia Article 

Squirrels in the Garden 

Wooded parks provide habitat for all three squirrel species

Squirrels are among the few mammal species that we commonly encounter in our gardens or at a  local park during the day. Opossums, raccoons and most of the mice and rat species are nocturnal while foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and deer are more likely to be occasional visitors to our communities. Squirrels have their problems and can become a nightmare to anyone who feeds birds, has chickens or ducks, or enjoys planting bulbs. However squirrels are also among the most fascinating creatures in our area and unlike a lot of our mammalian resident, they are approachable, cute, and aside from minor a nuisance rarely cause problems. While the Grey Squirrel is the most likely species to live in gardens, Fox Squirrels are also likely to live nearby if there are large open areas. The Flying Squirrel is rarely seen but chances are good that there is a family near by if your neighborhood has large trees or wooded areas. 

Feeders: All three of our squirrel species routinely visit bird tables and feeders and will become daily visitors if they can get to the food. Oftentimes we get our first Greys or Fox Squirrels within a week or so of putting out a birdfeeder or table. After the initial excitement wears off, we may realize that our expensive birdfeed is being wiped out in a matter or minutes, or that a starter birdfeeder made of plastic is broken. There are dozens of squirrel resistant and squirrel proof birdfeeders on the market although these intelligent animals can defeat most of them. I found that weighted birdfeeders that close when a squirrel or rat lands on it are the best option, followed by caged feeders. Of course, there is no way to stop squirrels from visiting a bird table or ground feeder, although it is generally not a good practice to put premium foods out in the open unless you willing to pay a lot to feed squirrels, blackbirds, doves, and the odd turkey, quail, or goose flock depending on where you live. Putting out inexpensive sunflower seeds, or seed mixes will go a long way for keeping squirrels off the more expensive birds, and bringing out birds like Mourning Doves, Field or Song Sparrows (or White Throated/Crowned Sparrows in winter), Brown Thrashers, and the like. Squirrels seem not to like suet, grains like milo or millet, and safflower although results may vary and some squirrels will still raid such feeders for the odd sunflower seed or peanut. I also had no squirrel issues with my window feeder mounted to the second story window of my townhouse. If you have no luck at defeating squirrels, it may be a good idea to give them their own food or invest in alternate foods like mealworms, grape jelly or suet instead. Remember that the best birdfeeders are flowering plants, native trees, and anything that creates fruits or seeds. 

Weight triggered squirrel resistant birdfeeder

Check out this fun video by Mark Rober about how squirrels can find their way into just about anything. Video Link

 

Food for Squirrels: You can feed squirrels in your garden by offering their favorite foods on a table/ground feeder, or specially made squirrel feeders. Grey and Fox Squirrels love sunflower seeds, corn, peanuts (both shell or and shell-less), and virtually any kind of tree nut. Corn cobs can provide hours of fun as squirrels will try to remove the kernels or dislodge the entire cob from the mount. Another option is to gather acorns, and nuts from hickories, beeches, chestnuts, or hazelnut bushes (they love Pecans, Black Walnuts, and Beechnuts in our area) and put them on the feeder or a tray. Squirrels may also take table scraps, surplus or unwanted fruits (make sure it is not moldy) and baked goods in appropriate quantities. Flying squirrels will sometimes visit hanging feeders (even squirrel proof ones) at night.

Providing Habitat: Like every other garden inhabitant squirrels need more than birdfeeders to live successfully in our communities. While squirrels can be taken for granted, they will not be able to survive without trees that provide the nuts and seeds they need to survive. Grey Squirrels rely heavily on Eastern Woodland trees with oaks, hickories, beeches, and the mostly extirpated American Chestnut being their primary food sources, followed by pines, maples, birch, and alders. There also needs to be food sources for the spring and summer months. Both squirrel species will eat the fruits of mulberry, wild cherry, blackberry, sumac, hackberry, and magnolia when they are available. 

To provide the best habitat for Tree Squirrels, plant a mixtures of oaks, hickories, and other hardwoods as canopy trees and use native shrubs and trees for the subcanopy and understory sections. This provides a corridor for squirrels to travel without going out into the open, provides food throughout the season and creates suitable habitats for dreys. Deadwood and snags can also be of value as squirrels often move into hollow trees and woodpecker holes, while flying squirrels depend on cavities. Hedgerows and coppices (thickets made up of shrubs, and saplings that are cut periodically), are also valuable for squirrels and can connect woodland or shade trees to other parts of the garden. Fox Squirrels as well as chipmunks and marmot actually prefer shrubby areas over woodlands. Lastly, garden plants that produce seeds can be of value for squirrels, with native or cultivated sunflowers being on the top of their list. In suburban or urban setting, something as simple as planting a shade tree or a shrubby border/hedge can make a big difference for birds and small mammals.  

Deciduous trees like these Sugar Maples are key for Grey Squirrels 

Fox Squirrels are more at home in open settings with scattered trees.

Other Needs: Grey and Fox Squirrels are fairly self-sufficient in gardens or parks with established trees, and reliable food sources throughout the year. Some additional things that will help squirrels include providing a source of water, supplemental shelter, and places to hide from predators. Both squirrels will readily drink from birdbaths, garden ponds, or other sources of water if they are clean and easily accessible. Try using a ground-level water feature or a sturdy pedestal bath as a squirrel can tip over a lightweight bath. Grey Squirrels may occasionally move into large birdhouses meant for starlings, flickers, or owls, and will also use specially built squirrel shelters (usually a tree-mounted box with a slot on the side). Flying squirrels often raise their litters, shelter, or store food in Bluebird, Starling, or Chickadee boxes including ones placed in surprisingly open areas like lawns or park trails. When squirrels are out in the open they are vulnerable to Red Tailed or Red Shouldered Hawks, as well as diurnally hunting Great Horned or Barred Owls. Adding shrubs or a brushpile can provide quick escape habitat for squirrels and rabbits although the same elements might be used by a cat, fox, or a sparrowhawk (Cooper's Hawks will occasionally hunt squirrels) to ambush unsuspecting prey. Wooden fences, stonewalls, and rock piles may also be valuable as lookout points, and travel routes for squirrels.  

Birdbaths and garden beds at my current garden (circa 2020)