Gray Squirrel


Gray squirrels are common in the region. They have large bushy tails and gray fur. Since they love to eat acorns, they are found commonly in areas where oaks grow. They also eat nuts, berries, fungi, larvae, vegetation, and insects. The call is a hoarse bark. They make their bulky nests high up in trees from leaves, sticks, and bark. In winter, they find shelter in tree hollows. Gray squirrels do not hibernate. They are active year-round. Usually, four to six young are born per litter. Their tracks show four toes on the front foot and five on the hind foot. Clear tracks may sometimes be found along river edges, where the animals come down to drink. Gray squirrels are not as common in campgrounds as Douglas' squirrels and chipmunks.


Click here to see drawings of gray squirrel tracks.


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http://www.northcoast.com/~hrsp/gsquirel.html
Revised: 25 September 1997
Written by Kim A. Cabrera
Copyright © 1997 Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association
hrsp@northcoast.com


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