Douglas Squirrel - Tamiasciurus douglasii

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Tamiasciurus

Description

The Douglas squirrel is also known as the pine squirrel and the chickaree. It is reddish-brown on top and white or orangish-white on its undersides. In the winter, its fur may be a little grayer and it has small ear tufts. It has very good eyesight and hearing.

Range

The Douglas squirrel is found from south west British Columbia south to northern California.

Habitat

The Douglas squirrel lives in coniferous forests.

Diet

The Douglas squirrel eats pine seeds. In the fall, it cuts green pine cones from tree limbs and buries them in special piles called middens. The Douglas squirrel also eat acorns, berries, mushrooms, and fruits.

Life Cycle

Mating season for the Douglas squirrel happens between late February and April. A little over a month after mating, the female gives birth to four to six babies. The babies are born with their eyes closed and are hairless. Their hair grows in a little over two weeks and their eyes open in about a month. They are weaned after eight weeks. The young squirrels may stay with their mother for most of their first year.

Behavior

The Douglas squirrel is very active during the day. It runs in the trees and on the ground. When the weather is bad, it stays in its nest. The Douglas squirrel builds a summer nest of moss, lichen, and pieces of bark and twigs. In the winter, it makes its nest in a hole in a tree. The Douglas squirrel is very territorial and very vocal.