Eastern Gray Squirrel
Scientific Name: Sciurus carolinensis
Eastern gray squirrels are medium sized tree squirrels that are grayish in color, often with some cinnamon tones. Their bushy tail is notable and are paler a gray and mixed with other colors. Their underbelly is typically white or buffy colored. There is considerable variation in color from the typical gray. Some can appear almost entirely red and rusty brown, or have a red tail with a gray body etc. Albinism occurs rarely.
“Black squirrels” are actually just a melanistic (dark color morph) of the Eastern gray squirrel. This is a result of a mutation in a gene responsible for fur color, leading to an increased production of melanin. Melanism is common in the northern portion of their ranges. The melanistic squirrels vary in color as well. Some are entirely black, while other have a rusty underbelly and tail, or even a black body with a blonde tail.
Prior to European settlement of the region, the black morph was much more abundant. Scientists have hypothesized that the dark pelt was advantageous in the old growth forests that used to cover the region. One explanation for this is that darker fur may provide better camouflage from their natural predators in the dark dense forests. Interestingly, the black morph seems to be rising once again as a dominant form in many urban regions. For more info visit the squirrel mapper website!
Adult size: 14 to 21 in
Weight: 338 to 750 grams
Life span: Up to 12 years
Maturity: 15 months
Litter size: 2 to 8
Fun Fact
Have you ever seen a black squirrel? Turns out that’s actually just an Eastern gray squirrel with melanism. Melanism means they have a higher concentration of dark pigments that is caused by a genetic mutation.
Diet
Gray squirrels predominantly eat nuts, seeds, and buds of a variety of tree species including oak, hickory, pecan, walnut, beech, and maple trees, among others. They will also eat a variety of herbaceous plants and fungi. They have been reported to opportunistically consume forms of protein such as bones, bird eggs and nestlings, frogs and insects.
Habitat
Gray squirrels prefer mature woodlands with high densities of nut producing trees that can provide them food throughout the winter. Oak, walnut, and hickory are typically preferred over coniferous trees. They construct dens on large tree branches or in the hollow trunks of trees. Dense tree canopies are used to hide from predators.
Gray squirrels are often found in parks, backyards, farmlands, and other rural environments. They have adapted to living and coexisting with humans in city conditions as well.
Behavior
Gray squirrels are mostly diurnal but tend to avoid the heat of the day. Generally, the females are more active in the summer, while the males are more active in the winter months. They both tend to expand their home ranges in the summer to increase foraging opportunities. Home range sizes fluctuate frequently based on the density of other squirrels in the region. When a female has a litter, they become very aggressive and dominant, defending their litter fiercely.
Gray squirrels have a large variety of communication mechanisms including tail flicking, foot stomping, different postures, and vocalizations. Gray squirrels exhibit a “caching” behavior, where they collect foods in access and stash them somewhere to be eaten later.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Gray squirrels are polygynandrous, meaning both males and females seek out multiple mates. The males will follow females before estrus until they are open to copulation. Gray squirrels often breed twice a year from December- February, and again in May-June. Gestation lasts for 40-44 days, and litter sizes range from 1-9 kits. The young are born hairless and blind. They will start to leave the nest after 42 days but are not fully weaned until 56-70 days.
Population Status
Gray squirrels are listed as of “least concern” on the IUCN Red List. They are abundant and are not facing any major conservation concerns.
Viewing
You can see gray squirrels almost anywhere. In dense old growth forest with mast bearing trees are your best bet, but you needn’t look further than your own back yard!
Range
Gray squirrels are found throughout the Eastern United states up to the Mississippi river. Their range extends into southern Canada as well. They are found ubiquitously throughout the state of New York.
