Grey squirrel10/23/2022 ![]() ![]() Those found in Ontario and Quebec have a more dominate black color in their fur while those in the United States have grey as the more dominate color. The grey squirrel has small ears and a large busy tail. Its body color changes to a yellowish brown during summer months. During the winter months the grey squirrel can be identified by its salt and pepper body, tan specks in its tail and its white belly. Grey Squirrels are around 18 inches long nose to tail. ![]() We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. They also showed the danger of carrying out a census of squirrels based only on drey-counts without inspection of each drey.Pest Products is reader-supported. Records showed that there is a preference for certain trees as nest sites, and showed the relation between summer and winter dreys. #GREY SQUIRREL PATCH#Notes were kept over an 18-month period on the nesting activities of grey squirrels in a 34-acre patch of mixed woodland. Weight records of juvenile squirrels coming in from the field were plotted month by month for comparison with the rising weight of laboratory animals, and an agreement was found. Post-weaning growth curves were plotted from captive animals. The coat is moulted when weaning is completed. A growth curve from young born in captivity is used to calculate age from body weight. Records for growth of hair, opening of eyes, eruption of teeth and weaning are correlated with body-weights. The weight at birth is estimated to be between 13–17 g. The growth of young squirrels was studied. The young were reared successfully by the parents. The conditions under which this occurred are described. In this year two litters were born, one to each of the elder females. In 1948 breeding started among the captive stock. The provision of extra light proved impracticable as the squirrels took cover in their nest-boxes. Injections of a gonadotrophic preparation were given to five animals, but no pregnancies were recorded. Artificial insemination was attempted without effect. One hundred and forty-eight litters gave an average of 2.50 young per litter, compared with 3.23 for 55 autumn litters (Britain).Ī group of squirrels kept in captivity was observed to exhibit mating “play”, but there were no pregnancies. There is a suggestion that autumn litters are larger than those in spring. Tables for litter size in America and in Britain are given. Breeding seasons in America and South Africa are compared with those for Britain.īreeding rates for four years in Britain are compared. First-year females do not appear to have more than one litter, but adults may have two per year. Males do not have a definite breeding season. No breeding females were recorded in October, November and December of any year. The second season starts in early June and continues until the end of July. The grey squirrel has two breeding seasons in Britain: one starts in early January and continues into March, and lactating females are found until late May. American records show a preponderance of males over females. A total sex ratio for males females of 86: 100 is given. Although methods of collection may possibly influence this ratio, a slight but steady preponderance of females is recorded in all classes except 1946 nestlings. Sex-ratio tables for nestlings, juveniles and adults are given. In Britain melanics are to be found in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and albinos occur in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The result of a cross between a female melanic and a normal grey male is described. The genetics of the melanic form are still not understood. Erythristic mutants have been observed in the New Forest area.Īlbino, melanie and partially-melanie forms have been recorded in America and in Britain. Juveniles and adults in summer coat are brownish in colour and may be confused with the red squirrel, S. ![]() Seasonal variations in the coat are described. Our present animal is probably intermediate between Sciurus c. In America the two forms concerned show intergradation over a large area, and the definitions do not appear to be consistent. The question of sub-specific rank for the American grey squirrel in Britain is discussed. ![]()
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